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

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 The individuals are putting money to work furiously, in individual stocks, demonstrating faith not in Trump, but in business, and it is being requited and will continue to be requited with higher stock prices. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025 In the book, the main character falls in love with an android that only pretends to requite his feelings. — IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023 Looks like the love Taylor Swift has for Grey’s Anatomy is fully requited! — Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for requite

Verb

In which case, who is ultimately on the hook to compensate any victims?

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Government spending remains well above its peers in the politically sensitive realm of social protections, particularly pensions and healthcare, while tepid economic growth has failed to compensate.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

After a year-long investigation into the killing of a Liberty City activist who was gunned down while playing dominoes outside his restaurant, police say the man who pulled the trigger may have been seeking to avenge his brother’s killing.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Hanuman inspires him to avenge the rape of his mother by a corrupt policeman working for a deceitful Hindu nationalist spiritual leader.

— Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of avenge

Verb

Lenders may also consider other factors, such as your employment history and existing debt, when evaluating your ability to repay the loan.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
That surprise vote in May prompted state lawmakers to threaten to force Charlotte and other local governments to repay hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the project.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of repay

Verb

The prescriptions were often billed to and reimbursed by Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, the lawsuit says.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The White House later said the president would not reimburse the federal government for the cost of the ads that had already aired.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

That answer is unlikely to satisfy many Democratic primary voters, according to a poll of six early primary states conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Some have questioned whether the 76ers can keep all of their stars satisfied this season, but Embiid believes the team can succeed without forcing its stars to make major sacrifices or drastically alter their playing styles.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Browse Nearby Words

requitals

requite

requited

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Style

“Requite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/requite. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of requite

verb

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