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

Derived Forms

• reˈciprocative, adjective
• reˈciproˌcator, noun
• reˌciproˈcation, noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reciprocate¹

C17: from Latin reciprocāre , from reciprocus reciprocal

Example Sentences

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

He had no real desire to reciprocate.

From Los Angeles Times

He had no real desire to reciprocate.

From Los Angeles Times

He had no real desire to reciprocate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• repay
• retaliate