rewarded; rewarding; rewards
1
: to give a reward to or for
rewarded the students with extra time at recess
2
: recompense
rewarded the extra work with a cash bonus
rewarder
noun
1
: something that is given in return for good or evil done or received or that is offered or given for some service or attainment
The police offered a reward for his capture.
That lying crook got his just rewards.
Members get a discount in reward for getting friends to subscribe.
2
: a stimulus (such as food) that is administered to an organism and serves to reinforce a desired response
Examples of reward in a Sentence
Verb
She rewarded herself by buying a new pair of shoes.
the firefighters were rewarded by the city for their heroic actions
Noun
The contest offered a cash reward to the first person who could breed a blue rose.
Hard work brings its own rewards.
Members will receive a discount in reward for getting friends or family to join.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Carolina hasn’t been shy about rewarding key contributors since general manager Dan Morgan took charge in 2024.
—Mike Kaye
february 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
The Pennsylvania State Police are offering a $2,000 reward in connection with last week's deadly Uniontown shooting.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reward
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.
Verb
It’s widely understood that to shop secondhand is to enter into a treasure hunt, where messiness is permitted and persistence is rewarded with bargains and unique items.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Carolina hasn’t been shy about rewarding key contributors since general manager Dan Morgan took charge in 2024.
—Mike Kaye
february 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Tips submitted anonymously to the hotline may be eligible for a reward of up to $25,000.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
The Pennsylvania State Police are offering a $2,000 reward in connection with last week's deadly Uniontown shooting.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reward
Cite this Entry
“Reward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reward. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reward
2 of 2 noun1
: something (as money) given or offered in return for a service (as the return of something lost)
2
: a stimulus (as food) that is given to an organism after a correct or desired way of behaving and that makes the behavior more probable in the future
Medical Definition
reward
1 of 2 transitive verb
re·ward
ri-ˈwȯ(ə)rd 
: to give a reward to or for
reward
2 of 2 noun
: a stimulus (as food) that serves to reinforce a desired response
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
