requital

American  

[ri-kwahyt-l] / rɪˈkwaɪt l /

noun

1. the act of requiting.

2. a return or reward for service, kindness, etc.

3. a retaliation for a wrong, injury, etc.

4. something given or done as repayment, reward, punishment, etc., in return.

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requital British  

/ rɪˈkwaɪtəl /

noun

1. the act or an instance of requiting

2. a return or compensation for a good or bad action

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Other Word Forms

• nonrequital
  noun
• unrequital
  noun

Etymology

Origin of requital

First recorded in 1570–80; requite + -al ²

Explanation

When you pay someone back or return their favor, that's requital. Your friend might insist that no requital is necessary for the cookies she gives you, but you may want to bake cupcakes for her tomorrow anyway. Use requital for the sincere return of a favor, like going to your brother's band concert after he's dutifully attended your poetry reading. You can also use it for retribution for a wrong that's been done: "As requital for the Silly String attack, she put a whoopie cushion on her classmate's chair." Requital comes from requite, which is based in the Middle English root quite, "clear or pay up."

Example Sentences

This nonsense gradually infected everything and the consequence was an underestimate which subsequently bought the bitterest requital.

From Time Magazine Archive

Therefore Kant's theory of punishment as mere requital for requital's sake is a completely groundless and perverse view.

From The World As Will And Idea (Vol. 1 of 3) by Schopenhauer, Arthur

Thou hast remembered thine oath unto me, my King; thou hast published thyself as ready to fulfil thy promise, and hast yielded unto me the choice of the manner of my requital!

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth

And then, pray that the veil of oblivion may be thrown over the fiendish requital which, in after years, succeeded this hospitable reception.

From Rambles by Land and Water or Notes of Travel in Cuba and Mexico by Norman, B. M.

When you are visiting another city, and receiving civilities from some of its inhabitants, it is an ill requital for their attentions to disparage their place, and glorify your own.

From The Ladies' Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners or, Miss Leslie's Behaviour Book by Leslie, Eliza