counter-gesture
nounUK /ˈkaʊntəˌdʒɛstʃə/
US /ˈkaʊntərˌdʒɛstʃər/
A counter-gesture is a kind or helpful action you do back when someone does something to you.
When she shared her snack, he smiled and offered her his cookie as a counter-gesture.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A symbolic action made in return for another symbolic action, often in diplomacy or politics.
The two leaders exchanged a handshake as a counter-gesture of goodwill.
3. A movement or signal made to oppose or answer another movement or signal.
The referee made a counter-gesture to cancel the first signal.
4. An action taken to balance or offset a previous action.
The company's donation was seen as a counter-gesture to its earlier criticism.