reciprocate

American  

[ri-sip-ruh-kayt] / rɪˈsɪp rəˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

• reciprocates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• reciprocated,
  past participle,  past
• reciprocating
  present participle

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)

• reciprocates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• reciprocated,
  past participle,  past
• reciprocating
  present participle

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 British  

/ 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

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reciprocation
  noun
• reciprocator
  noun
• nonreciprocating
  adjective
• reciprocative
  adjective
• reciprocatory
  adjective
• unreciprocating
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• reciprocating
  present
• reciprocated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• reciprocate
  simple
• reciprocates
  simple
• have reciprocated
  perfect
• has reciprocated
  perfect
• am reciprocating
  progressive
• are reciprocating
  progressive
• is reciprocating
  progressive
• have been reciprocating
  perfect progressive
• has been reciprocating
  perfect progressive

Past

• reciprocated
  simple
• had reciprocated
  perfect
• was reciprocating
  progressive
• were reciprocating
  progressive
• had been reciprocating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will reciprocate
  simple
• will have reciprocated
  perfect
• will be reciprocating
  progressive
• will have been reciprocating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of reciprocate

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

Explanation

You reciprocate when you return a favor, return a compliment, or respond "the same to you" to the angry guy in the car you just passed. In short, you react to an action, statement, or emotion by mirroring it. This one comes from the Latin verb reciprocare, meaning to move back and forth. Its root makes it sound as if reciprocate implies only a physical action, but it's also used for the less tangible. If you fail to pay the rent, your landlord might reciprocate by evicting you. If your crush acts like he doesn't know you exist when you pass him in the halls, it's probably safe to say he does not reciprocate your amorous feelings.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reciprocate reciprocates reciprocated reciprocating

I’ve tried to reciprocate in smaller ways — buying dinner, bringing wine when we’re staying somewhere, picking up other expenses.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

The Justice Department, the state alleges, did not reciprocate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky -- who has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the four-year war -- said Kyiv was willing to reciprocate.

From Barron's ● Apr. 10, 2026

It is believed Rangers reached the decision after assurances Celtic would reciprocate for any upcoming cup matches at Celtic Park.

From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2026

We tried to reciprocate as much as we could, and I increased my fishing so I could share fish and river prawns with them.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

These are matters of the heart that can only be felt in the dark of the theater, watching such wonderfully realized characters weigh the cost of loving their work in a world that scarcely reciprocates.

From Salon ● May 1, 2026

“We have to begin now with a coherent plan whereby we give something and the government reciprocates … to try and generate the best possible scenario for 2024.”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 3, 2023

The actors speak of Rajamouli as a beloved tormentor, an artist who reciprocates his demands on others by first challenging himself to innovate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 16, 2023

I have moments of intense vulnerability with him, which he reciprocates, but how do I deal with the anxiety/voice in my head afterward that it’s just going to drive him away?

From Washington Post ● Apr. 21, 2022

There is no love in the world that reciprocates like that of a garden.

From Over Paradise Ridge A Romance by Maria Thompson Daviess

Feeling like your generosity is not being reciprocated or even appreciated is frustrating.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

That clemency was reciprocated when the retreating raiders were caught by determined Mohawk forces led by Lawrence, north of Lake Champlain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Unaware that her tender feelings are reciprocated, Mary begins talking about birds, as one does.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

"While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated."

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

Lots of us reach out to those different from ourselves, or to those more famous or successful than we are, but that gesture isn’t always reciprocated.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Data center developers and tech companies have been locking down power generation equipment, from turbines to reciprocating engines and fuel cells, as they race to connect data centers to electricity sources as quickly as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

In early September, as surfers and bodyboarders rode 20-foot wave faces, lifeguards took an electric reciprocating saw to the exposed pilings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

Caterpillar said in its latest earnings call that its order backlog of reciprocating engines, which are also used by other industries such as oil and gas, rose by more than 3.5 times.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Venezuela said it would be reciprocating by sending a delegation to Washington.

From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026

In the driveway there are hugs and kisses good-bye, initiated by Maxine, his parents reciprocating clumsily.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• repay
• retaliate