compensate

verb

com·​pen·​sate ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt How to pronounce compensate (audio)
-ˌpen-
compensated; compensating

transitive verb

1
: to be equivalent to : counterbalance
Her virtues compensate her faults.
2
: to make an appropriate and usually counterbalancing payment to
compensate the victims for their loss
3
a
: to provide with means of counteracting variation
compensate a magnetic needle
b
: to neutralize the effect of (variations)

intransitive verb

1
: to supply an equivalent
used with for
compensate for his feelings of loneliness by assertions of superiority.W. H. Auden
2
: to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect
his enthusiasm compensates for his lack of skill
3
: to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological compensation
His aggression was an attempt to compensate for inherent passivity.
compensative adjective
compensator noun
compensatory adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for compensate

pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something.

pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

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

satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

Examples of compensate in a Sentence

His enthusiasm compensates for his lack of skill. The price of the item has been reduced to compensate for a defect. compensate workers for their labor She was not compensated for the damage done to her car.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Collins pointed out that the foundation must raise nearly $5 million each year to appropriately compensate the hundreds of artists and stagecraft technicians, as well as support numerous year-round youth programs and maintain excellence in sound, staging and security. Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025 To compensate for his hearing impairments, Sid needs people to look directly at him when speaking rather than to the side or away from him so the sound comes right to him. Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025 The court began its opinion by noting that civil contempt powers are within the inherent powers of the court and may be employed either to force compliance with a court order to to compensate another party (such as the creditor) for the harm caused by the noncompliance. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, a 2022 first-round pick whose fifth-year option was just exercised, and 2023 Day 3 picks Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden must help compensate for the loss of the stalwart Clark, who is fully healthy after recovering from offseason toe surgery. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensate

Word History

Etymology

Latin compensatus, past participle of compensare, frequentative of compendere — see compendium

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compensate was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

compensate

verb
com·​pen·​sate ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt How to pronounce compensate (audio)
compensated; compensating
1
: to be equal to in value or effect : counterbalance
2
: to make up for
effort that compensates for lack of skill
3
: to make equal return to : pay
compensate workers for their labor
compensatory adjective

Medical Definition

compensate

verb
com·​pen·​sate ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt, -ˌpen- How to pronounce compensate (audio)
compensated; compensating

transitive verb

: to subject to or remedy by physiological compensation
compensated hypertensive patients

intransitive verb

: to undergo, experience, or engage in psychological or physiological compensation
his aggression was an attempt to compensate for inherent passivity

Legal Definition

compensate

transitive verb
com·​pen·​sate ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt, -ˌpen- How to pronounce compensate (audio)
compensated; compensating
: to make an appropriate and usually counterbalancing payment to
compensate the victims for their injuries
adequately compensated for her work
compensatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on compensate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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