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 Tejeda said that out of the $24.7 million allocated, the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority is expected to reimburse about $21.7 million. Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 4 June 2025 Second, the ability to reimburse gym membership costs tax-free essentially equates to a price decrease for consumers, which could reduce churn rates. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 3 June 2025 Contributions to both accounts are tax deductible and can be used to reimburse yourself for medical expenses. Danielle Seurkamp, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 After the collapse, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation making Santa Cruz eligible for state funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act, which reimburses local governments up to 75% of their losses from floods, wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reimburse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reimburse
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Reimburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reimburse. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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