How to pronounce reprisal
Say it like ree-PRY-zul. Reprisal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reprisal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- PRY
- zul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reprisal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- PRYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- zulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of reprisal
American and British speakers say reprisal in essentially the same way: /riˈpraɪzəl/ in the US and /riˈpraɪzəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: ree-PRY-zul.
What does reprisal mean?
- An act of retaliation.
Where does reprisal come from?
From Anglo-Norman reprisaille (French représaille), from Old Italian ripresaglia (Italian rappresaglia), from ripreso, past participle of riprendere (“to take back”), from Latin reprendere, earlier reprehendere (see reprehend).
Questions about saying reprisal
How do you pronounce reprisal?
Say ree-PRY-zul. The American pronunciation is /riˈpraɪzəl/. In British English it is /riˈpraɪzəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reprisal?
Reprisal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRY). Broken into parts: ree · PRY · zul.
Do Americans and Brits say reprisal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˈpraɪzəl/ and the British form is /riˈpraɪzəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.