1
as in to compensate
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received promptly remunerated the repair company for fixing the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to reimburse
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury the negligent landlord must remunerate those made homeless by the fire by finding new housing for them at his own expense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word remunerate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of remunerate are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," 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 compensate be used to replace remunerate?

The synonyms compensate and remunerate are sometimes interchangeable, but compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When can indemnify be used instead of remunerate?

While in some cases nearly identical to remunerate, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When is it sensible to use pay instead of remunerate?

Although the words pay and remunerate have much in common, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When would recompense be a good substitute for remunerate?

The words recompense and remunerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When might reimburse be a better fit than remunerate?

The words reimburse and remunerate can be used in similar contexts, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is repay a more appropriate choice than remunerate?

In some situations, the words repay and remunerate are roughly equivalent. However, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

In what contexts can satisfy take the place of remunerate?

The meanings of satisfy and remunerate largely overlap; however, 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 remunerate As part of an agreement to end the strike, a payment pot was set up to remunerate actors based on future viewings of their work on streaming services. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 May 2024 The majority of truly important work is not highly remunerated. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2024 However, the writers who create the stories which appear on these platforms are not being adequately remunerated for their work. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023 The lawsuit makes no specific monetary demand but asks that a jury require Tesla to remunerate alleged victims for the conduct they were subjected to and pay other damages, as appropriate. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 28 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for remunerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remunerate
Verb
  • Pillar is compensated through advisory fees based on the company's gross asset value and net income.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Data provided in the NHL app ranges from space available to compensate replacements for players dealing with long-term injuries to tracking performance bonuses, which can allow a team to spend slightly over the cap.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • All parties have reimbursed the man for their shares of the expenses.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025
  • On February 11, three days after Wright’s home burned to the ground, the governor issued an order to reimburse childcare workers for 30 days.
    Christine Ro, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The organization has received several grants, and is now trying to raise funds to pay for staff.
    Christine Ro, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay millions of Americans benefits next month.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bank small-dollar loans: Growing in popularity, these are typically less than $1,000 and repaid in a few weeks or months.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The company completed the redemption of its Preferred Shares and repaid its Senior Notes, reflecting a focus on optimizing its capital structure.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remunerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remunerate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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