remunerate

verb

re·​mu·​ner·​ate ri-ˈmyü-nə-ˌrāt 

remunerated; remunerating

transitive verb

1

: to pay an equivalent for

their services were generously remunerated

2

: to pay an equivalent to for a service, loss, or expense : recompense

remunerator

ri-ˈmyü-nə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

remuneratory

ri-ˈmyü-nə-rə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• compensate
• pay
• repay
• reimburse

Choose the Right Synonym for remunerate

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 remunerate in a Sentence

promptly remunerated the repair company for fixing the dryer

the negligent landlord must remunerate those made homeless by the fire by finding new housing for them at his own expense

Recent Examples on the Web

In my opinion, there needs to be a much more responsible reckoning of how that has happened, and how people can be remunerated for it. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

But the allowance does recognize a fact of family life that tends to go unacknowledged in the United States: that the contributions of older people are essential labor that deserves to be remunerated. —Marina Lopes, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025

Without any rules at all, there’s a possibility Isak would still be at Newcastle, surrounded by more of the world game’s best and most highly remunerated players courtesy of the vast wealth of the club’s Saudi Arabian owners, challenging for titles already. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

People who work in the system have struggled to get covered and supported and remunerated for their work. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin remuneratus, past participle of remunerare to recompense, from re- + munerare to give, from muner-, munus gift — more at mean

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for remunerate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

remunerate

verb

re·​mu·​ner·​ate ri-ˈmyü-nə-ˌrāt 

remunerated; remunerating

: to pay an equivalent to for a service, loss, or expense : recompense

remunerator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun