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View synonyms for reciprocate

reciprocate

[ ri-sip-ruh-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·cip·ro·cat·ed, re·cip·ro·cat·ing.
  1. to give, feel, etc., in return.

    Synonyms: retaliate, respond, return

  2. to give and receive reciprocally; interchange:

    to reciprocate favors.

  3. to cause to move alternately backward and forward.


verb (used without object)

, re·cip·ro·cat·ed, re·cip·ro·cat·ing.
  1. to make a return, as for something given.
  2. to make interchange.
  3. to be correspondent.
  4. to move alternately backward and forward.

reciprocate

/ rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪt /

verb

  1. to give or feel in return
  2. to move or cause to move backwards and forwards
  3. intr to be correspondent or equivalent
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • reˈciprocative, adjective
  • reˈciproˌcator, noun
  • reˌciproˈcation, noun
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Other Words From

  • re·cip·ro·ca·tive re·cip·ro·ca·to·ry [ri-, sip, -r, uh, -k, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
  • re·cip·ro·ca·tor noun
  • non·re·cip·ro·cat·ing adjective
  • un·re·cip·ro·cat·ing adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of reciprocate1

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin reciprocātus, past participle of reciprocāre “to move back and forth”; -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of reciprocate1

C17: from Latin reciprocāre , from reciprocus reciprocal
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Example Sentences

Seeing Boq wrestle with his feelings for Nessa, and the belief that she could have that love reciprocated, again is unique considering how that is usually always prioritized for white women in disabled narratives.

From Salon

British Equestrian and British Dressage have also reciprocated the suspension, preventing Dujardin from competing in national competition or training events during the same period.

From BBC

And rap stars reciprocated his affection, looking on Jones as an inspirational elder statesman of black American music.

From BBC

It took audiences a while to reciprocate, however.

From BBC

But there are standard exchanges, the dinner party, the birthday gift, the place to stay, that I want to be able to reciprocate.

From Salon

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Related Words

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More About Reciprocate

What does reciprocate mean?

To reciprocate is to do something in response to an action in a way that corresponds or is somehow equivalent to that action.

This is often positive. For example, when you are shown affection by a loved one, you can reciprocate by showing affection back. When someone does you a favor, you can reciprocate by doing something nice for them. However, reciprocating can also be negative. For example, if someone insults you, you may reciprocate by insulting them back or doing something else to get back at them.

A much more informal way of saying reciprocate is the verb phrase return the favor. 

A noun form of reciprocate is reciprocation, which refers to the act of reciprocating or a specific instance of it, as in This gift is reciprocation for all your support. 

Actions or relationships involving reciprocation can be described as reciprocal. The related word reciprocity often refers to a reciprocal state or relation, or to the mutual exchange of things.

More specifically, reciprocate can mean to give and receive things back and forth, or to interchange things. More generally, it can mean to move or cause to move alternately forward and backward, but this sense of the word is less common.

Example: My neighbors helped me with my garden, so I reciprocated by making them dinner.

Where does reciprocate come from?

The first records of the word reciprocate come from the 1500s. It comes from the Latin verb reciprocāre, meaning “to move back and forth.”

This more literal sense of reciprocate is not all that common, but it is used in terms like reciprocating saw (a type of electric saw that moves back and forth) and reciprocating engine (in which the pistons move back and forth). Most senses of reciprocate deal with a different type of back-and-forth, typically one involving a relationship between two people or two groups. The word is most commonly associated with favors, kind gestures, and displays of emotion that are done in response to similar actions, as in I shared my feelings with her and she reciprocated. Sometimes, though, reciprocating is the same as retaliating, as in It is thought that the country may reciprocate after the missile strike.

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What are some other forms related to reciprocate

  • reciprocation (noun)
  • reciprocal (adjective)
  • reciprocity (noun)
  • reciprocative (adjective)
  • reciprocatory (adjective)
  • reciprocator (noun)
  • nonreciprocating (adjective)
  • unreciprocated (adjective)

What are some synonyms for reciprocate?

What are some words that share a root or word element with reciprocate

What are some words that often get used in discussing reciprocate?

How is reciprocate used in real life?

Reciprocate is a somewhat formal word. The act of reciprocating can be either positive or negative.

 

 

Try using reciprocate!

Which of the following actions is NOT a way to reciprocate?

A. responding to someone’s message
B. giving someone a gift after receiving one from them
C. ignoring someone who has tried to contact you
D. returning a favor

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