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Definitions

return the compliment

VERB
exchange
Synonyms
STRONGEST
swap
STRONG
alternate bandy bargain barter castle change commute correspond displace flip-flop interchange invert market network rearrange reciprocate replace reverse revise seesaw shift shuffle shuttle substitute switch traffic transact transfer transpose truck
WEAK
buy and sell cash in change hands contact with convert into deal in give and take go over to hook up horse-trade link up pass to pay back swap horses turn the tables
Antonyms
STRONG
continue deny hold keep leave alone refuse remain
VERB
reciprocate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
repay retaliate
STRONG
barter correspond interchange match recompense render reply requite respond retort return share square swap swing trade vacillate
WEAK
be equivalent feel in return give-and-take make up for pay one's dues scratch one's back serve out tit for tat
Antonyms
STRONG
ask disagree keep question request take
WEAK
deny refuse
VERB
repay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pay back
STRONG
avenge reciprocate requite retaliate return revenge
WEAK
even the score get back at get revenge make reprisal settle the score square accounts
Antonyms
STRONG
forgive pardon refuse sympathize
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone penalize seize steal take
VERB
retaliate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
reciprocate
STRONG
get pay recompense repay requite retrospect return revenge revive settle
WEAK
even the score exact retribution get back at make reprisal pay back square accounts strike back take an eye for an eye take revenge turn the tables on turn upon wreak vengeance
Antonyms
STRONG
depart leave lose take
WEAK
forgive pardon sympathize
VERB
revenge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avenge get back at vindicate
STRONG
defend fix get justify match punish reciprocate redress repay requite retort return score square
WEAK
be out for blood even the score fight back fix one's wagon get even give comeuppance hit back kick back make reprisal pay back pay back in spades pay off settle up settle with stick it to take an eye for an eye turn the tables on venge
Antonyms
STRONG
deny depart fail leave lose refuse request surrender take
WEAK
forgive pardon sympathize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It took a long time for the country to return the compliment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

When Grande tried to return the compliment, Eilish quipped back, “This is not about me, ma’am.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025

If you wish to return the compliment, blink and your cat might blink back.

From Scientific American • Oct. 5, 2022

Prince Charles will return the compliment in a speech he makes at the handover ceremony on Monday evening.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2021

He said: "Come now, Miss Vera Claythorne, aren't you going to return the compliment?"

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie