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 …

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.

A noun form of reciprocate is reciprocation, which refers to the act of reciprocating or a specific instance of it, as in This gift is reciprocation for all your support.

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 …

[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 …

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 …

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

Jan 22, 2026 · Of an engine type, that has one or more pistons that move back and forth or up and down. Of an other machine, whose mechanism relies on a back and forth or up and down …

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.

Reciprocate definition: To give or take mutually; interchange.