Definition

Adjective: - Not returned in kind: Describes a feeling, especially love or affection, that is felt by one person but is not felt or returned by the other person. - Not reciprocated: Refers to an action, effort, or emotion that is not repaid or matched.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • She suffered from years of unrequited love for her best friend. (Her feelings were not returned.)
  • His loyalty was unrequited; the company showed him no appreciation. (His loyalty was not reciprocated.)
  • The novel explores the pain of unrequited affection. (The affection was one-sided.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Primarily Emotional Context: The word is most frequently used to describe romantic love that is not returned. However, it can apply to other non-romantic feelings like admiration, loyalty, or goodwill that are not reciprocated.
• Implied Longing or Suffering: The term often carries a connotation of persistent, painful yearning from the person whose feelings are unrequited.
• Formal/Literary Tone: "Unrequited" is more common in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts than in casual everyday speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Requite (verb, archaic/formal): To make a suitable return for something, to repay or reciprocate.
  • He sought to requite her kindness.
• Unrequitedness (noun, rare): The state or quality of being unrequited.

Synonyms

• One-sided: Involving only one person or party.
• Unreciprocated: Not given or felt in return.
• Unreturned: Not given back or reciprocated.

Antonyms

• Reciprocated: Given and received in equal measure.
• Mutual: Held in common by two or more parties.
• Required (archaic in this sense): Returned, repaid.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Unrequited love: The most common and classic phrase using this word, referring to love that is not returned by the beloved.
  • The poet wrote many sonnets about the agony of unrequited love.

Adjective

1. not returned in kind
   • unrequited (unanswered) love