What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repay
Example
I need to repay my friend the money I borrowed last week. [repay: verb]
Example
He repaid his debt to society by doing community service. [repaid: past tense]
reciprocate
Example
She reciprocated his feelings and asked him out on a date. [reciprocated: past tense]
Example
I always try to reciprocate the kindness shown to me by others. [reciprocate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repay is more commonly used than reciprocate in everyday language, especially in financial or business contexts. However, reciprocate is still a useful word to know for social situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repay and reciprocate?
Repay is typically associated with a more formal tone, while reciprocate is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
