compensate

verb

ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt How to pronounce compensate (audio)
Definition of compensatenext
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 But for many foreign companies, the slide in the U.S. dollar has incentivized them to raise their invoice prices to compensate, according to Wells Fargo. —Bloomberg News, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025 Switching to the optical finder gives you a clear, perfectly focused view of the world, complete with a frame line that adjusts based on the attached lens, and automatically moves based on the set focus distance, compensating for parallax. —PC Magazine, 23 July 2025 In the past, Google has offered programs such as Google News Showcase to compensate publishers without undermining its core argument that the copyright doctrine of fair use permits use of their material. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 July 2025 The mesmerizing and visually appealing frames in the film are unable to compensate. —Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate
  1. reimburse
  2. pay
  3. satisfy
  4. repay
Verb
  • In order to be reimbursed for the tests, the beneficiaries were required to submit claims with their name and Medicare identification number, along with other information.
    — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2025
  • That money will be reimbursed via either sales tax generated by the business or TIF increment funds, depending on the resources available each budget year, the city has said.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
Definition of reimburse
Verb
  • But the borrower must still pay the mortgage every month.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 20 July 2025
  • Any cleaning that needs to be done to meet the landlord’s standards is then paid for using the security deposit.
    — Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Definition of pay
Verb
  • Nuts are a crunchy, satisfying snack packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
    — Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 28 July 2025
  • What was [satisfying] about that was a lot of those students ended up living very fulfilling lives.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025
Definition of satisfy
Verb
  • In addition, members could be forced to repay the cost associated with tracking them down.
    — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 18 July 2025
  • Rhiannon Do did not make any repayment on the loan and Aloha is asking that it now be repaid.
    — Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
Definition of repay

Phrases Containing compensate

Browse Nearby Words

compends
compensate
compensated
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Cite this Entry

“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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