unrequited
/' nri'kwaitid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- not returned in kind
- unrequited (unanswered) love