What does requited mean?
Requited means that someone has been given a reward or repayment for something they have done. A service, favour, act of kindness, or other contribution can be requited by a gift, payment, acknowledgment, or reciprocal deed. The word can also have an older literary sense of being avenged, as when an injury is said to have been requited. Its everyday associations are often romantic or emotional, especially in the familiar expression 'requited love', which contrasts with 'unrequited love'. Requited is more literary and formal than words such as rewarded or repaid, and it gives particular emphasis to the idea of a fitting return or exchange. The word is especially useful when describing the balance between what someone gives and what they receive.
Rewarded or repaid for a service, favour, or other deed; sometimes, in literary usage, avenged or retaliated upon.
"Their efforts were requited with a generous celebration."
More literary and formal than 'rewarded' or 'repaid' in modern English.
Rewarded, repaid, or avenged someone or something, especially in return for a service, favour, or injury.
"She requited his loyalty with unexpected generosity."
This is the past tense and past participle of the verb requite.
Requited carries the special idea of a return: not merely receiving something, but giving back what is owed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of requited
Requited comes from the verb requite, which means to repay, reward, or avenge. The verb developed through Old French from a Germanic root meaning to quit or release, while the prefix re- added the sense of returning or answering something. Its earlier meanings included repaying a debt and taking revenge for an injury. The modern adjective and past-participle form preserves both the sense of receiving a return and, more archaically, the sense of retaliation.
Related word forms
How requited is actually used
Requited is literary and somewhat formal in contemporary English. It is most natural in phrases such as 'requited love' and 'requited service'; 'unrequited' is much more common in modern usage.
Easily confused with requited
Requited means that a reward or repayment has been given, whereas unrequited describes a favour, love, or effort that receives no return.
Requited means rewarded or repaid, while required means necessary or demanded.