Synonyms of recompense

recompense 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compensation
• reparation
• damages
• indemnity
• restitution
• redress
• punishment
• indemnification
• satisfaction
• requital
• remuneration
• recoupment
• reprisal(s)
• quittance
• reimbursement
• repayment
• expiation
• refund
• settlement
• atonement
• retaliation
• amends
• punitive damages
• adjustment
• solatium

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

• compensation
• payment
• pay
• reparation
• consideration
• salary
• wage(s)
• remuneration
• reimbursement
• remittance
• requital
• repayment
• outlay
• restitution
• indemnity
• redress
• refund
• stipend
• settlement
• rental
• adjustment
• expenditure
• rebate
• deposit
• recoupment
• prepayment
• disbursement
• overpayment
• rent

recompense

2 of 2

verb

ˈre-kəm-ˌpen(t)s 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compensate
• pay
• repay
• reimburse
• remunerate
• refund
• requite
• remit
• pay up
• pay off
• prepay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stiff

2

as in to pay

to give what is owed for

that company still needs to recompense the work that the contractor finished last month

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pay
• meet
• settle
• balance
• stand
• pay up
• pay off
• liquidate
• discharge
• foot
• ante (up)
• spring (for)
• clear
• quit
• pony up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiate

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

• compensate
• reimburse
• satisfy
• pay
• repay
• remunerate
• recoup
• requite
• indemnify
• refund
• redress
• remedy
• repair
• discharge
• quit

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repay
• reciprocate
• requite
• exchange
• compensate
• pay
• reimburse
• refund
• satisfy
• remunerate
• indemnify
• revenge
• recoup
• avenge
• retaliate
• give back
• restitute
• get back (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• owe
• overlook

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recompense distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recompense are compensate, indemnify, pay, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

In what contexts can compensate take the place of recompense?

The words compensate and recompense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When would indemnify be a good substitute for recompense?

The synonyms indemnify and recompense 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 recompense?

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

paid their bills

When can reimburse be used instead of recompense?

In some situations, the words reimburse and recompense are roughly equivalent. However, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is it sensible to use remunerate instead of recompense?

The words remunerate and recompense 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 is repay a more appropriate choice than recompense?

While the synonyms repay and recompense are close in meaning, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

Where would satisfy be a reasonable alternative to recompense?

While in some cases nearly identical to recompense, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of 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