as in to compensate
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury the company generously indemnifies workers who are injured on the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word indemnify distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of indemnify are compensate, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When is it sensible to use compensate instead of indemnify?

In some situations, the words compensate and indemnify are roughly equivalent. However, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

In what contexts can pay take the place of indemnify?

While the synonyms pay and indemnify are close in meaning, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When can recompense be used instead of indemnify?

While in some cases nearly identical to indemnify, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When might reimburse be a better fit than indemnify?

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

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is remunerate a more appropriate choice than indemnify?

The words remunerate and indemnify 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 indemnify?

Although the words repay and indemnify have much in common, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

When would satisfy be a good substitute for indemnify?

The words satisfy and indemnify can be used in similar contexts, but satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Examples 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 indemnify The new terms include a higher valuation for National Amusements and stronger language indemnifying the Redstones’ company against litigation that may result from the deal, the person said. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 July 2024 Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said in June that a commission would be established to figure out how to indemnify businesses affected by closures like this, except there’s no guidance at all as to how the amount of compensation will be decided. Brian Ng, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2024 Studios will also indemnify workers in the event of a lawsuit. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 18 July 2024 Israel’s Finance Ministry currently indemnifies Israeli banks that transfer money to Palestinian banks, which protects Israeli banks against sanctions or lawsuits for transferring money that may assist terrorist activity. Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for indemnify 

Thesaurus Entries Near indemnify

Cite this Entry

“Indemnify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indemnify. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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