indemnify

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verb in·dem·ni·fy \in-ˈdem-nə-ˌfī\

Definition of indemnify

indemnified

;

indemnifying

transitive verb
1 : to secure against hurt, loss, or damage
2 : to make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage

indemnifier

play \in-ˈdem-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun

See indemnify defined for English-language learners

See indemnify defined for kids

Examples of indemnify in a Sentence

Again, let's look at auto insurance, which indemnifies the holder against loss. If a policy-holder's car is wrecked, the insurance company sends him a check for the value of the car … —John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, May–June 1992
We moved quickly, and the House approved an appropriation of $60,000 to indemnify Hamilton Jordan for his legal fees. —Tip O'Neill in Man of the House, 1987
Likewise, the “sexagenarians law,” which freed slaves over 60 years old, required those slaves to indemnify their masters, as did nearly every act of manumission. —Shepard Foreman, New York Times Book Review, 2 Nov. 1986
the company generously indemnifies workers who are injured on the job

Origin and Etymology of indemnify

Latin indemnis unharmed, from in- + damnum damage

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First Known Use: 1611

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of indemnify

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

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

INDEMNIFY Defined for English Language Learners

indemnify

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verb

Definition of indemnify for English Language Learners

: to protect (someone) by promising to pay for the cost of possible future damage, loss, or injury
: to give (someone) money or another kind of payment for some damage, loss, or injury