non-reciprocal
Given without return
Non-reciprocal describes a relationship or exchange that flows in only one direction.
A non-reciprocal gift expects nothing in return.
Non-reciprocal love goes unanswered.
In technical contexts, non-reciprocal devices allow signals to pass one way but not the other: a non-reciprocal antenna.
The word emphasizes asymmetry where mutuality might be expected.
Unfairly weighted toward one
- unilateralAffecting one side only
- asymmetricNot identical on both sides
- imbalancedUnevenly distributed or proportioned
- unrequitedNot returned in kind
unidirectional · lopsided · unequal · disproportionate · one-way · unanswered · unmatched · uneven
Selfish use of others
- taking advantageBenefiting from circumstances
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- moochingHabitually seeking handouts
- freeloadingExploiting others' generosity
user · taker · giver · codependency · doormat · pushover · enabler · boundary
Romantic feelings not returned
- piningAching with prolonged desire
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
rejection · indifference · coldness · aloofness · attachment · obsession · yearning · lovesick
Unequal imports versus exports
- deficitAmount still owed
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- protectionismShielding local producers
- tariffTax on traded goods
exploitation · dependency · colonialism · extraction · tribute · taxation · feudal · patronage
One benefits, one suffers
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- predationHunting and consuming prey
- hostOne receiving guests
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
mutualism · obligate · facultative · ectoparasite · endoparasite · vector · pathogen · infection
one-sided
Unfairly weighted toward one
- unilateralAffecting one side only
- asymmetricNot identical on both sides
- imbalancedUnevenly distributed or proportioned
unrequited · unidirectional · lopsided · unequal · disproportionate · one-way · unanswered · unmatched · uneven · skewed
exploitation
Selfish use of others
- taking advantageBenefiting from circumstances
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- moochingHabitually seeking handouts
freeloading · user · taker · giver · codependency · doormat · pushover · enabler · boundary · narcissism
unrequited love
Romantic feelings not returned
infatuation · rejection · indifference · coldness · aloofness · attachment · obsession · yearning · lovesick · spurned
trade imbalance
Unequal imports versus exports
- deficitAmount still owed
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- protectionismShielding local producers
tariff · exploitation · dependency · colonialism · extraction · tribute · taxation · feudal · patronage · charity
parasitism
One benefits, one suffers
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- predationHunting and consuming prey
- hostOne receiving guests
symbiosis · mutualism · obligate · facultative · ectoparasite · endoparasite · vector · pathogen · infection · infestation
non-reciprocalreciprocal
Shared between two parties
mutual · bidirectional · two-way · bilateral · give-and-take
non-reciprocalbalanced
In a state of equilibrium
equitable · reciprocating · reciprocated · mutually beneficial · returned
reciprocal, reciprocally, reciprocate, reciprocated, reciprocating, reciprocates, reciprocation, reciprocity, recipe