Synonym Chooser

How is the word repay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of repay are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

In what contexts can compensate take the place of repay?

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

an attorney well compensated for her services

When is indemnify a more appropriate choice than repay?

Although the words indemnify and repay 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 repay?

While in some cases nearly identical to repay, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When would recompense be a good substitute for repay?

The synonyms recompense and repay are sometimes interchangeable, but recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When is it sensible to use reimburse instead of repay?

The words reimburse and repay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

Where would remunerate be a reasonable alternative to repay?

While the synonyms remunerate and repay are close in meaning, 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 might satisfy be a better fit than repay?

The meanings of satisfy and repay 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 repay While both individuals are responsible for repaying the loan, a cosigner helps the primary borrower qualify for the loan. Christina Majaski, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Dionne funded much of her lifestyle through money borrowed from, and never repaid to, Hornigold. Isabella Wandermurem, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025 Note that, in all instances, the funds may be replenished or repaid from future campaign proceeds. Laura MacDonald, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 My job was to help everyday Americans find an affordable way to repay their loans. Malia McCool, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for repay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repay
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
  • At its heart, the trial was about whether college athletes and former college athletes should be paid more than nothing for use of their NIL in video games and other products.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • From the start of their seemingly happy relationship, her family was impressed by the attention that Booker paid to them.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Floodlighting disrupts this natural relational progression by pushing too much emotional depth too soon, which can: Create an unbalanced dynamic where one person overshares while the other feels pressured to reciprocate.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The Yankees reciprocated, using a seventh-round pick on the Northeastern product in 2022.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • These Crowns can be exchanged for a variety of prizes, including bonus bets and discounts for traveling.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Read asserted her innocence and her defense team accused Albert and others who’d been at the party — including an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives whom Read had exchanged flirty texts with — of fatally assaulting O’Keefe and framing Read for the killing.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That explanation has failed to satisfy Democrats who say that plans for imminent military strikes are regularly classified.
    David Klepper, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • One of the requirements to satisfy the banks into loaning Arsenal the money was a commitment for Wenger to stay for five years.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But to compensate for the gap in conventional capabilities and lower-yield nuclear weapons, Europe would have to rely on extended deterrence provided by its two nuclear states.
    Mark S. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Trump has also referred to a rare earth minerals agreement as a way for the US to be compensated for the aid and military assistance sent to Ukraine.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Reflecting Lee’s turmoil as he’s tormented by heroin withdrawals and his not entirely requited affection for Allerton, the film is moody, and the sets reflect the interior landscapes of its characters.
    Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024
  • In the book, the main character falls in love with an android that only pretends to requite his feelings.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Repay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repay. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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