What Is Another Way to Say “Tit for Tat”?

Looking for synonyms for tit for tat? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say tit for tat.

  • Reciprocal
  • Eye for an eye
  • Quits
  • Payback
  • Reprisal
  • Retaliation
  • Reciprocation
  • Counteraction
  • Requital
  • Exchange
  • Barter
  • Revenge
  • Retribution
  • Comeuppance
  • Counterattack
  • Counterbalance
  • Back-and-forth
  • Give-and-take
  • Countermeasure
  • Recompense

Want to learn how to say tit for tat professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Reciprocal

Use when actions or agreements involve mutual exchange or correspondence.
Example: “The partnership was based on reciprocal benefits for both companies.”

2. Eye for an eye

Appropriate for situations where a response is equivalent to the initial action, often in a retaliatory sense.
Example: “The competitor’s aggressive marketing strategy was met with an eye for an eye approach.”

3. Quits

Used when two parties are even in terms of debts or grievances.
Example: “After resolving the lawsuit, both companies considered themselves quits.”

4. Payback

Ideal for actions taken in retaliation or as compensation.
Example: “The price reduction by our competitor was seen as payback for our market entry strategy.”

5. Reprisal

Use when retaliating against someone for their actions.
Example: “The company faced reprisals in the form of trade restrictions from its competitors.”

6. Retaliation

Appropriate for actions taken in response to an offense or injury.
Example: “In retaliation for the breach of contract, the company filed a lawsuit.”

7. Reciprocation

Used for responding to an action or gesture with a similar one.
Example: “Our extension of credit terms was met with reciprocation by the supplier.”

8. Counteraction

Ideal for actions taken to counteract or oppose another action.
Example: “The company’s counteraction to the negative publicity involved a comprehensive PR campaign.”

9. Requital

Use when providing something in return or as a reward or punishment.
Example: “The bonus distribution was seen as a requital for the team’s exceptional performance.”

10. Exchange

Appropriate for instances of giving something and receiving something of similar value in return.
Example: “The business deal was an exchange of technology for market access.”

11. Barter

Used in contexts of trading goods or services without using money.
Example: “The companies engaged in a barter agreement, exchanging services for products.”

12. Revenge

Ideal for actions taken in retaliation for a perceived wrong.
Example: “The aggressive marketing move was driven more by revenge than strategy.”

13. Retribution

Use for punishment inflicted in response to a wrong.
Example: “The lawsuit was filed as retribution for the infringement of intellectual property rights.”

14. Comeuppance

Appropriate for a deserved punishment or fate.
Example: “The unethical practices of the firm eventually led to its comeuppance.”

15. Counterattack

Used for an attack made in response to one by an opponent.
Example: “The small company mounted a counterattack in the form of a defamation lawsuit.”

16. Counterbalance

Ideal for an influence that offsets or balances another.
Example: “The new product line served to counterbalance the loss of revenue from older products.”

17. Back-and-forth

Use for actions or communications that go to and fro between parties.
Example: “The negotiations involved a lot of back-and-forth before reaching an agreement.”

18. Give-and-take

Appropriate for mutually beneficial compromise or exchange.
Example: “Successful team collaboration often involves a lot of give-and-take.”

19. Countermeasure

Used for actions taken to counteract a threat or difficulty.
Example: “The company implemented countermeasures to protect against future cyber attacks.”

20. Recompense

Ideal for making amends to someone for loss or harm suffered.
Example: “The company offered recompense to customers affected by the product recall.”

Linda Brown