reciprocation

Reciprocation is the act of reciprocating—doing something in response to an action in a way that corresponds or is somehow equivalent to that action.

Reciprocation can also refer to a specific instance of doing this, as in This gift is reciprocation for all your support. 

A much more informal way of saying this is returning the favor.

Reciprocation is often positive. For example, when you are shown affection by a loved one, you can reciprocate (or show reciprocation) by showing affection back. When someone does you a favor, you can reciprocate by doing something nice for them. However, reciprocation can also be negative. For example, if someone insults you, your reciprocation may take the form of insulting them back or doing something else to get back at them.

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. Reciprocation can be used as a synonym for these senses of reciprocity.

Example: I thought my neighbors’ help with my garden deserved reciprocation, so I made dinner for them.

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

Reciprocation involves a 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 was relieved at her reciprocation when I shared my feelings with her. But reciprocation can be a form of retaliation, as in The military is on alert for reciprocation after the missile strike.

What are some other forms related to reciprocation? 

• reciprocate (verb)

What are some synonyms for reciprocation?

• interchange
• retaliation

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

• reciprocal
• reciprocity

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

• action
• return
• exchange
• compensate
• favor
• gift

Reciprocation is a somewhat formal word. Acts of reciprocation can be either positive or negative.

Im a good person cuz I wanna be, not cuz Im expecting reciprocation

— Swimmy Jimmy (@Yur_Wifeys_OE) July 28, 2020

I spent my whole adult life loving and supporting selfish people without reciprocation. I owe myself 25 years of self-care, selfishness, self-indulgence.

— mrgogetter (@mryerger) July 20, 2020

#Israel said the supply of advanced medical equipment to #India was the reciprocation of the help extended to it by the South Asian country to tackle the #coronaviruscrisishttps://t.co/TlPu37UJyD

— FinancialXpress (@FinancialXpress) July 28, 2020

Which of the following actions is NOT an example of reciprocation?

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