compensate 1 of 2

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

Relevance
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

compensate (for)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective a mafioso thinking that he can compensate for the evil he's done by giving to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Verb
But this year, higher-value air trade flows helped compensate for the structural adjustment following the end of the exemption, said IATA. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 People who are 65 or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature, Lamont’s office said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 Pathak explained that the ability to compensate for injury is one of the most important aspects of generalized physical intelligence. Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 DeSantis also approved a $4 million bill to compensate families of the Groveland Four, the four Black men from Lake County falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949. Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for compensate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate
Verb
  • The city issues funding in the form of bonds, which is then reimbursed by new property tax revenue collected in the area in future years.
    Ilana Arougheti July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Child-care advocates are supporting new legislation, Assembly Bill 1981, to lock in a timeline that would allow providers to be reimbursed for their services at increasing rates.
    Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The goal is to brighten—not shrink or damage—your fabrics, so pay special attention to heat sensitivity and fiber type.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • In California, drivers pay some of the highest prices in the country.
    Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • If there isn't enough money to satisfy every creditor, state probate laws determine the order in which claims are paid.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The Justices ruled the president cannot redefine birthright citizenship, and all children who are born in the United States, whether their parents are in the country legally or not, satisfy citizenship requirements in the 14th amendment.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Under the standard plan, borrowers will have between 10 years and 25 years to repay their loans depending on the amount borrowed.
    Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Getty Images Key Facts Last year’s spending bill imposed a number of changes on how student loans are capped, regulated and repaid, including establishing new repayment plans and caps on loans.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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