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
Sanktion and Repressalie can both refer to a coercive or punitive measure against another party. A Sanktion is intended to force a particular behavior and does not have to be an act of retaliation. A Repressalie, by contrast, is taken specifically in retaliation for a previous action. The term is often used in the plural, Repressalien, especially in political or military contexts.
Die Handelssperre wurde als Repressalie für den vorherigen Angriff verhängt.
The trade embargo was imposed as a reprisal for the previous attack.
Die Handelssperre soll als Sanktion einen Kurswechsel der Regierung erzwingen.
The trade embargo is intended to force a change in the government's policy as a sanction.
