repay

verb

re·​pay (ˌ)rē-ˈpā 

repaid (ˌ)rē-ˈpād  ; repaying

transitive verb

1

a

: to pay back

repay a loan

b

: to give or inflict in return or requital

repay evil for evil

2

: to make a return payment to : compensate, requite

3

: to make requital for : recompense

the success that repays hard work

intransitive verb

: to make return payment or requital

repayable

(ˌ)rē-ˈpā-ə-bəl 

adjective

repayment

(ˌ)rē-ˈpā-mənt 

noun

Synonyms of repay

• reimburse

Choose the Right Synonym for repay

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 repay in a Sentence

You can repay the mortgage over 30 years.

She would rather have to repay the bank than borrow from her parents and have to repay them.

How can I ever repay your kindness?

How can I ever repay you for your kindness?

Recent Examples on the Web

Many borrowers currently repaying their student loans, as well as prospective students and their families, will see the impacts, including through higher monthly payments. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Many rebels believed the burden of repaying the public debt fell disproportionately on common people while benefiting elites. — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

While some households may have tax debts due to willful negligence, others may accrue large unpaid balances for innocent reasons and don’t have the money to repay, experts said. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Guitars take the place of shovels, as Henry now repays Carlos’ kindness by helping to save the land that Carlos assumes is ravaged. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for repay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

repay

verb

re·​pay (ˈ)rē-ˈpā 

repaid -ˈpād  ; repaying

1

: to pay back

repay a loan

2

: to make a return payment to

repay a creditor

repayable

-ˈpā-ə-bəl 

adjective

repayment

-ˈpā-mənt 

noun