1
as in to reimburse
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury you'll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to pay
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received compensate them well for their efforts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word compensate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of compensate are indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When is it sensible to use indemnify instead of compensate?

Although the words indemnify and compensate have much in common, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When can pay be used instead of compensate?

The words pay and compensate can be used in similar contexts, but pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

Where would recompense be a reasonable alternative to compensate?

In some situations, the words recompense and compensate are roughly equivalent. However, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

In what contexts can reimburse take the place of compensate?

The synonyms reimburse and compensate are sometimes interchangeable, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When would remunerate be a good substitute for compensate?

The words remunerate and compensate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

When could repay be used to replace compensate?

While the synonyms repay and compensate are close in meaning, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

When might satisfy be a better fit than compensate?

While in some cases nearly identical to compensate, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compensate Lisa Young had said for years that if Idaho Power received approval to overhaul its method of compensating homeowners for power produced by their rooftop solar panels, the company would try still to pay them less. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 6 Apr. 2025 The judge found that allowing the reservoir expansion to continue without redoing the permits would cause irreparable environmental damage that cannot be compensated for by monetary payments. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025 Those employees are Very Important People and must be compensated as such. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 However, these applicants must compensate with exceptional strength in other areas—particularly in demonstrating intellectual vitality through classroom performance, research projects, or independent intellectual pursuits. Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate
Verb
  • The plans, which are privately run but reimbursed with taxpayer money, will see payments increase by 5.1 percent under a final Trump administration rule, for a total increase of about $30 billion.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Of the $16,000, Burns reimbursed the school for more than $7,000 and provided documentation for the rest after school officials met with Burns in late January about the audit’s findings.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Werner heard that one of her scholarships—which had been administered by the center—was being eliminated, sending her into a panic about how to pay for school.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Still, the union is contending with a decrease in the share of workers who are willing to pay dues.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Armed with billion-dollar domestic media rights deals, the three power countries have been under pressure to satisfy broadcasters wanting more marquee series.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Those details didn’t satisfy attorneys for Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy organization challenging the request.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Only six games remain, and if the players continue to repay the faith Igor Tudor is putting in them, the Coach should succeed in his mission to secure Champions League football for Juventus next season.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Consumers and businesses could struggle to repay their loans if the import levies reignite inflation and dampen economic growth.
    Niket Nishant and Nupur Anand, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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