REQUITE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'requite' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of requite are reciprocate , retaliate , and return . While all these words mean "to give back usually in kind or in quantity," requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently. // requited her love with cold indifference

Q: When can 'reciprocate' be used instead of 'requite'?

The words reciprocate and requite can be used in similar contexts, but reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received. // reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit

Q: When is 'retaliate' a more appropriate choice than 'requite'?

In some situations, the words retaliate and requite are roughly equivalent. However, retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully. // the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

Q: When might 'return' be a better fit than 'requite'?

While the synonyms return and requite are close in meaning, return implies a paying or giving back. // returned their call // return good for evil

requite

verb

ri-ˈkwīt

Definition of requite next

as in to compensate

to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury the company requited the employee who had fallen on the ice while leaving work by promptly paying all his medical bills, hoping that would stave off a lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to avenge

to punish in kind the wrongdoer responsible for the future writer would later requite the abuse he suffered at the hands of his classmates by creating scathing portraits of them in his novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to repay

to make a return for I fear my love for her will never be requited

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb requite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of requite are reciprocate, retaliate, and return. While all these words mean "to give back usually in kind or in quantity," requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

When can reciprocate be used instead of requite?

The words reciprocate and requite can be used in similar contexts, but reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received.

reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit

When is retaliate a more appropriate choice than requite?

In some situations, the words retaliate and requite are roughly equivalent. However, retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

When might return be a better fit than requite?

While the synonyms return and requite are close in meaning, return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call

return good for evil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of requite But after years of wooing Silicon Valley, the Defense Department’s interest became requited, with companies like Amazon seeing opportunities to replace the government’s hodge-podge data centers with cloud computing, for which the Pentagon was offering a $10 billion contract prize in 2019. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for requite

Verb

Then incorporate it into performance reviews, and create structures to compensate for the extra time and emotional energy spent on it.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Douglas said automatic gratuities also serve a practical purpose for larger parties, helping to ensure servers are fairly compensated for the additional coordination and service those tables require.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

Under the standard plan, borrowers will have between 10 years and 25 years to repay their loans depending on the amount borrowed.

— Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Getty Images Key Facts Last year’s spending bill imposed a number of changes on how student loans are capped, regulated and repaid, including establishing new repayment plans and caps on loans.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of repay

Verb

The city issues funding in the form of bonds, which is then reimbursed by new property tax revenue collected in the area in future years.

— Ilana Arougheti July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Child-care advocates are supporting new legislation, Assembly Bill 1981, to lock in a timeline that would allow providers to be reimbursed for their services at increasing rates.

— Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

If there isn't enough money to satisfy every creditor, state probate laws determine the order in which claims are paid.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 June 2026
The Justices ruled the president cannot redefine birthright citizenship, and all children who are born in the United States, whether their parents are in the country legally or not, satisfy citizenship requirements in the 14th amendment.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 June 2026