requital: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “requital” mean?
Something given or done in return for something else, especially in repayment for a wrong or injury.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Something given or done in return for something else, especially in repayment for a wrong or injury; retribution or repayment.
The act of repaying, reciprocating, or retaliating; a return in kind, which can be either positive (reward, recompense) or negative (vengeance, retribution).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. The word is equally rare in both variants.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries formal/literary connotations and a slight archaic flavour. The negative connotation (retribution) is slightly more salient than the positive.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. More likely encountered in legal, philosophical, or classic literary texts than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “requital” in a Sentence
in requital for + NOUN PHRASE (e.g., 'in requital for his service')requital + of + NOUN PHRASE (e.g., 'requital of an insult')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “requital” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old laws required a life to be requited with a life.
- He sought to requite her loyalty with a knighthood.
American English
- The hero vowed to requite the villain's evil deed.
- Her kindness was requited with profound gratitude.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in philosophical, historical, or legal texts discussing justice, revenge, or reciprocal ethics.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound highly formal or deliberately archaic.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “requital”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “requital”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “requital”
- Misspelling as 'requitle' or 'requitall'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'payback' or 'revenge' would be natural.
- Incorrect preposition: 'as a requital of' (less common) vs. the stronger 'in requital for'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral in principle, meaning 'a return in kind'. However, in contemporary usage, it more frequently carries a negative connotation of retribution or vengeance than a positive one of reward.
'Revenge' is strongly negative, emotional, and personal. 'Requital' is more formal, neutral, and can be impersonal or institutional (e.g., 'the requital of the law'). It also retains a possible positive sense that 'revenge' lacks.
No, 'requital' is only a noun. The related verb is 'requite' (meaning to make appropriate return for).
No, it is a C2-level, low-frequency word primarily found in formal, literary, or academic contexts. Learners should prioritise more common synonyms like 'repayment', 'retribution', or 'reward' for active use.
Something given or done in return for something else, especially in repayment for a wrong or injury.
Requital is usually formal, literary in register.
Requital: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈkwaɪt(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈkwaɪt(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word; it often appears in the prepositional phrase 'in requital for'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-QUIT-al. You 'quit' or settle a score by 're'-turning something. It's the act of making someone QUIT a debt (of gratitude or grievance) by RE-paying it.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BALANCE OF ACCOUNTS (requital settles a moral debt). GOOD/EVIL IS A SUBSTANCE THAT CAN BE RETURNED.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'requital' LEAST likely to be appropriately used?