reciprocations
Give-and-take responses
Reciprocations are acts of giving or doing something in return.
The word covers mutual exchanges—of favors, feelings, gestures, or actions: Their reciprocations of kindness strengthened the friendship.
In technical contexts, reciprocations can refer to back-and-forth mechanical movements, as in a piston engine.
Formal agreements between states
- bilateral agreementsContracts between two nations
- trade dealsNegotiated economic arrangements between parties
- diplomatic exchangesOfficial communications between countries
- concessionsThings granted or yielded
negotiations · quid pro quo · accords · détente · state visits · peace offerings · summit meetings
Punishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- eye for an eyePunishment matching the offense
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
countermeasures · reprisals · settling scores · getting even · counter-attacks · retribution · vindication · just deserts
Polite social behaviors
- gift-givingOffering presents to others
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- pleasantriesPolite conversational formalities
treaties
Formal agreements between states
- bilateral agreementsContracts between two nations
- trade dealsNegotiated economic arrangements between parties
- diplomatic exchangesOfficial communications between countries
concessions · negotiations · quid pro quo · accords · détente · state visits · peace offerings · summit meetings
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- eye for an eyePunishment matching the offense
vengeance · countermeasures · reprisals · settling scores · getting even · counter-attacks · retribution · vindication · just deserts · comeuppance
courtesies
Polite social behaviors
- gift-givingOffering presents to others
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
bonding
Forming close connections
- trust buildingEstablishing mutual reliability
oscillations
Repeated back-and-forth motions
- counterbalancingOffsetting with equal force
reciprocationsnonresponses
Failures to answer
ignoring · disregard · neglect · indifference · cold shoulders
reciprocationstakings
Money received, earnings
exploitations · extractions · hoarding · leeching · freeloading