recompense

1 of 2

verb

rec·​om·​pense ˈre-kəm-ˌpen(t)s 

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

recompense

2 of 2

noun

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

offered in recompense for injuries

Synonyms

Verb

• compensate
• pay
• repay
• reimburse

Noun

• compensation
• reparation
• damages

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of recompense in a Sentence

Verb

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

Noun

He is asking for a just recompense for the work he's done.

He received $10,000 in recompense for his injuries.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rioters have typically been ordered to pay $500 if found guilty of a misdemeanor or $2,000 if convicted of a felony to the Architect of the Capitol to recompense for the damage. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025

Our society doesn’t send teenagers to fight each other to the death and watch it on live TV as a form of entertainment and recompense for a long-ago rebellion. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

Noun

Your bread won’t have the same dark crust, but the moist crumb flavored with brown butter and maple syrup is ample recompense. —The Know, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025

The company offered a pittance in Google Store credit or a free battery swap in recompense, but taking advantage of either can be a pain. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recompense

• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• penitence
• recommence
• recompence
• cense
• dense
• fence

Kids Definition

recompense

verb

rec·​om·​pense

ˈrek-əm-ˌpen(t)s

recompensed; recompensing

: to pay for or pay back

recompense noun