Synonyms of requite

requite

verb

1

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

• compensate
• reimburse
• satisfy
• repay
• indemnify
• recompense
• recoup
• pay
• remunerate
• refund
• remedy
• redress
• repair
• discharge
• quit

2

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

• avenge
• retaliate
• revenge
• redress
• punish
• venge
• get even (for)
• repay
• penalize
• compensate
• correct
• chastise
• castigate
• right
• recompense
• pay (back)
• discipline
• chasten
• fix
• get
• scourge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forgive
• excuse
• pardon
• remit
• absolve
• condone

3

as in to repay

to make a return for

I fear my love for her will never be requited

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repay
• reciprocate
• recompense
• exchange
• compensate
• satisfy
• reimburse
• pay
• avenge
• indemnify
• retaliate
• refund
• remunerate
• recoup
• give back
• revenge
• restitute
• get back (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• owe

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!