1
as in compensation
payment to another for a loss or injury
the jury awarded an additional $5,000 in recompense for physical pain and suffering
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2
as in payment
something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services
the volunteer expects nothing more than sincere thanks as recompense for his efforts
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to compensate
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received
the cash-strapped museum can recompense lecturers with only token honorariums
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to reimburse
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury
the government has yet to adequately recompense the property owners for the land taken for the new highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to repay
to make a return for
the wealthy gentleman told the poor little girl she could recompense his generosity simply by enjoying her new toys
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recompense
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
During a recent sit-down with Willie D, the rapper spoke his mind about dating, social media and the backlash he’s received, and most importantly, to him, whether the ancestors of America’s enslaved people are owed recompense.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2023
European countries like Germany and the UK have shored up money for their violent role in suppressing Namibian and Kenyan protests, but the Netherlands is the first to publicly acknowledge and recompense for slavery.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 23 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for recompense
Noun
Then, of course, the people who understood the brand left and people came in who saw only the recompense of taking money.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
During a recent sit-down with Willie D, the rapper spoke his mind about dating, social media and the backlash he’s received, and most importantly, to him, whether the ancestors of America’s enslaved people are owed recompense.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Thurber complained to him about being asked to recompense The New Yorker for a sixty-dollar overpayment; writers got paid by the word (still do), and the accounting department had calculated that the final word count on a certain Thurber story was less than the original word count.
—Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2023
European countries like Germany and the UK have shored up money for their violent role in suppressing Namibian and Kenyan protests, but the Netherlands is the first to publicly acknowledge and recompense for slavery.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 23 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for recompense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recompense
Noun
-
Since then, the value of the company’s shares has dropped nearly 60%, while Zaslav’s compensation soared.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
13 June 2025
-
Yet only five have successfully pursued compensation under the 2008 law.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
On May 28, Acosta claimed her prize and chose a one-time lump sum payment of $1.3 million before taxes, the lottery said.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
-
Social Security workers are sounding the alarm that some beneficiaries could see payment delays as the agency undergoes significant changes in the next few weeks.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
As part of the settlement, Siemens Mobility agreed to compensate the employee — who filed a complaint with the agency in 2023 — without admitting to any liability.—
Ethan Wolin,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
-
The company is actively striving to diversify its revenue sources; however, the swift decline in COVID-19 vaccine sales has outstripped its ability to quickly compensate for these losses, resulting in the significant fall in its stock price.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
While Keisha’s mom struggles to pay her child’s private school tuition, Justin’s mom casually wears a Vivienne Westwood suit or a Zimmermann ensemble.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
2 June 2025
-
Advocates and unions have said wages needed to be raised by $2 an hour to meet recommendations that those workers be paid 150% of minimum wage.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
If Jane paid using a digital app, Combs would reimburse her, but oftentimes Combs paid in cash.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
Once an application has been approved by the city, residents can be reimbursed for expenses like food, paper goods and entertainment.—
Alecia Taylor,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Chicago Heights will receive a loan of $5 million, of which $2 million doesn’t need to be repaid, toward replacing nearly 300 water lines.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
-
How much of that outstanding debt schools end up having to repay would depend on some complicated math, including the program's cost and how much money its graduates earn.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
Other Russian demands include the restoration of full diplomatic and economic ties, specifically that no reparations will be demanded by either side and that all Western sanctions on Russia be lifted.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
There have never been any reparations for the way that society treated these patients, ever.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recompense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recompense. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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