reprisal
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reprisal
A coercive or punitive measure taken in retaliation for an action by another party, such as a state or a group. The term is often used in political or military contexts and is usually used in the plural.
Als Reaktion auf die Sanktionen drohte die Regierung mit wirtschaftlichen Repressalien.
In response to the sanctions, the government threatened economic reprisals.
'Repressalie' (reprisal) is a formal word used mainly in political, legal, or historical contexts. It is very rare in everyday language.
Die Besatzungsmacht reagierte mit harten Repressalien auf den Widerstand.
The occupying power responded to the resistance with harsh reprisals.
The word is usually used in the plural ('Repressalien', reprisals), because a retaliatory measure often consists of several individual actions.
Die Zivilbevölkerung litt unter den Repressalien des Regimes.
The civilian population suffered under the regime's reprisals.
Typical verbs combined with 'Repressalien' (reprisals) are 'ergreifen' (to take), 'ausüben' (to carry out/exert), 'androhen' (to threaten), or 'fürchten' (to fear).
Das Land drohte mit diplomatischen Repressalien.
The country threatened diplomatic reprisals.
sanction
'die Sanktion' and 'die Repressalie' both refer to measures intended to harm someone or put pressure on them. 'Sanktion' is the more neutral and more general term, especially for official punishments against states, companies, or individuals. 'Repressalie' places more emphasis on retaliation: one side responds to an action by the other side with a coercive or punitive measure. The word is often used in the plural and sounds political or military. They can be confused because both sound harsh and official. When it is about a punishment for breaking a rule, 'Sanktion' fits; when the measure is meant as revenge or a counter-reaction, 'Repressalie' fits better.
Die Gruppe fürchtete Repressalien, nachdem sie öffentlich Kritik geäußert hatte.
The group feared reprisals after publicly voicing criticism.
Bei einem Verstoß gegen die Regeln droht dem Unternehmen eine hohe Sanktion.
If the company violates the rules, it faces a heavy sanction.