recompense

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verb rec·om·pense \ ˈre-kəm-ˌpen(t)s \

Definition of recompense

recompensed; recompensing

transitive verb

1 a :to give something to by way of compensation (as for a service rendered or damage incurred)

b :to pay for

2 :to return in kind :requite

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Examples of recompense in a Sentence

the cash-strapped museum can recompense lecturers with only token honorariums
that company still needs to recompense the work that the contractor finished last month

Origin and Etymology of recompense

Middle English, from Anglo-French recompenser, from Late Latin recompensare, from Latin re- + compensare to compensate

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

recompense Synonyms

Synonyms

compensate, pay, remunerate

Antonyms

repudiate

Related Words

refund, reimburse, repay, requite; remit; pay off, pay up, prepay

Near Antonyms

stiff

Synonym Discussion of recompense

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

recompense

noun

Definition of recompense

:an equivalent or a return for something done, suffered, or given :compensation

offered in recompense for injuries

See recompense defined for English-language learners

Examples of recompense in a Sentence

He is asking for a just recompense for the work he's done.
He received $10,000 in recompense for his injuries.

Recent Examples of recompense from the Web

There was national remorse, reconciliation, and recompense for their cruelty.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Why HBO’s “Confederate” Is Completely Unnecessary," 20 July 2017
Slaughter of the Houthis, indiscriminate bombing, famine, cholera — as recompense to the Saudis for the Iran deal?

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "Trump’s Yemen Policy Is Immoral and Counterproductive," 13 July 2017
Later, a group of masked robbers showed up back at the house, demanding recompense.

— dale eisinger, Billboard, "Lil Kim a Person of Interest in Los Angeles Robbery: Report," 25 June 2017
This event was received by Chicagoans as nothing less than a miracle, a temporary reprieve handed down by the weather gods as recompense for our collective suffering.

— jake malooley, Chicago Reader, "‘That first warm day’ should be an official Chicago holiday," 22 June 2017
Indeed, as often is the case in looted Holocaust-era art, even after establishing the provenance of an artwork, the aggrieved owners may receive a measure of recompense but not the beloved — and often valuable — cultural object taken from them.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "Bittersweet ending: A Nazi-looted painting resurfaces but is not returned," 28 May 2017
Abbott is seeking recompense for medical expenses, future court costs and mental anguish.

— travis m. andrews, Washington Post, "Woman sues Confederate group, says a camel bit her at Jefferson Davis’s old house," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recompense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.