Thesaurus results for REIMBURSE

Q: How is the word 'reimburse' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reimburse are compensate , indemnify , pay , recompense , remunerate , repay , and satisfy . While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit. // reimbursed employees for expenses

Q: When is 'compensate' a more appropriate choice than 'reimburse'?

Although the words compensate and reimburse have much in common, compensate implies a making up for services rendered. // an attorney well compensated for her services

Q: When would 'indemnify' be a good substitute for 'reimburse'?

The synonyms indemnify and reimburse are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare. // indemnified the families of the dead miners

Q: When might 'pay' be a better fit than 'reimburse'?

The meanings of pay and reimburse largely overlap; however, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred. // paid their bills

Q: When is it sensible to use 'recompense' instead of 'reimburse'?

While the synonyms recompense and reimburse are close in meaning, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward. // passengers were recompensed for the delay

Q: When can 'remunerate' be used instead of 'reimburse'?

The words remunerate and reimburse can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When could 'repay' be used to replace 'reimburse'?

The words repay and reimburse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount. // repay a favor with a favor

Q: Where would 'satisfy' be a reasonable alternative to 'reimburse'?

In some situations, the words satisfy and reimburse are roughly equivalent. However, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law. // all creditors will be satisfied in full

reimburse

verb

ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs

Definition of reimburse next

as in to repay

to make a return payment to make sure you keep your receipts so we can reimburse you for your expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word reimburse distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reimburse are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is compensate a more appropriate choice than reimburse?

Although the words compensate and reimburse have much in common, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When would indemnify be a good substitute for reimburse?

The synonyms indemnify and reimburse are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When might pay be a better fit than reimburse?

The meanings of pay and reimburse largely overlap; however, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When is it sensible to use recompense instead of reimburse?

While the synonyms recompense and reimburse are close in meaning, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When can remunerate be used instead of reimburse?

The words remunerate and reimburse can be used in similar contexts, but 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 reimburse?

The words repay and reimburse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

Where would satisfy be a reasonable alternative to reimburse?

In some situations, the words satisfy and reimburse are roughly equivalent. 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 reimburse When eligible meals are served, USDA is required to reimburse states based on a statutory formula, and states have argued that the USDA doesn't have the authority to withhold that funding. —

Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 The airport is also paying airlines directly, reimbursing companies for their costs in marketing new flight routes and drawing passengers to Oakland. —

Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 More than 30 states reimburse doulas through Medicaid or are in the process of implementing such coverage, up from 14 in late 2022, according to the nonprofit National Health Law Program. —

Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 At companies where Wagmo is a benefit, employees are reimbursed for routine pet care like vaccines, grooming, bloodwork, and exams. —

Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reimburse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reimburse

Verb

That means some 20,000 Jordan’s Furniture customers could be fully repaid for $50 million worth of sales if the two teams win their Final Four games on Friday and Saturday.

— Dave Collins, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Wyoming enacted a law allowing rural hospitals to file Chapter 9 bankruptcy, normally reserved for financially stressed cities to reorganize debts and repay creditors while protecting them from legal action.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of repay

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reimagining

reimburse

reimbursed

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“Reimburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reimburse. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of reimburse

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