Indeed, one of the meanings of reciprocate is “to move forward and backward alternately,” as in “a reciprocating saw.” Most often, however, reciprocate is used for the action of returning something in …

Depending on past roles and how they are now perceived, they can either self devalue, or devalue their partner, or feel that they are reciprocating for their partner's past role.

[transitive, intransitive] to behave or feel towards somebody in the same way as they behave or feel towards you. reciprocate something Her passion for him was not reciprocated. They wanted to …

To show, feel, or give in response or return: They opened their hearts to her, and she reciprocated their affection. 1. To give and take something mutually. 2. To make a return for something given or done. …

You reciprocate when you return a favor, return a compliment, or respond "the same to you" to the angry guy in the car you just passed. In short, you react to an action, statement, or emotion by mirroring it. …

RECIPROCATING definition: to give or feel in return | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples in American English

Jan 14, 2026 · Verb reciprocate (third-person singular simple present reciprocates, present participle reciprocating, simple past and past participle reciprocated) (transitive) To exchange two things, with …

to give, feel, etc., in return. to give and receive reciprocally; interchange: to reciprocate favors. to cause to move alternately backward and forward. to make a return, as for something given. to make …

RECIPROCATE definition: to give, feel, etc., in return. See examples of reciprocate used in a sentence.

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective reciprocating, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.