rewarded; rewarding; rewards
1
: to give a reward to or for
rewarded the students with extra time at recess
2
: recompense
rewarded the extra work with a cash bonus
rewarder
noun
1
: something that is given in return for good or evil done or received or that is offered or given for some service or attainment
The police offered a reward for his capture.
That lying crook got his just rewards.
Members get a discount in reward for getting friends to subscribe.
2
: a stimulus (such as food) that is administered to an organism and serves to reinforce a desired response
Examples of reward in a Sentence
Verb
She rewarded herself by buying a new pair of shoes.
the firefighters were rewarded by the city for their heroic actions
Noun
The contest offered a cash reward to the first person who could breed a blue rose.
Hard work brings its own rewards.
Members will receive a discount in reward for getting friends or family to join.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Whether you’re drawn to the energy of Portland or the tranquility of a coastal town, most Mainers share a love for outdoor living and believe summer rewards winter’s wait.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
And although the hot climate and famously steep streets and hilly neighborhoods like Anafiotika and Plaka can make walking beyond the historic center something of a challenge, sweeping views of the marble monuments and the glittering Aegean Sea, are more than enough of a reward for uphill climbs.
—Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reward
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Verb
Hodgson said the system seems to reward dangerous driving during the study period.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Whether you’re drawn to the energy of Portland or the tranquility of a coastal town, most Mainers share a love for outdoor living and believe summer rewards winter’s wait.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025
Noun
Federal and local authorities are offering a reward of up to $7,500 and asking for the public’s help to locate a suspect accused of killing two people in a March shooting outside a Chipotle in Brockton, Massachusetts.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
And although the hot climate and famously steep streets and hilly neighborhoods like Anafiotika and Plaka can make walking beyond the historic center something of a challenge, sweeping views of the marble monuments and the glittering Aegean Sea, are more than enough of a reward for uphill climbs.
—Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reward
Cite this Entry
“Reward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reward. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reward
2 of 2 noun1
: something (as money) given or offered in return for a service (as the return of something lost)
2
: a stimulus (as food) that is given to an organism after a correct or desired way of behaving and that makes the behavior more probable in the future
Medical Definition
reward
1 of 2 transitive verb
re·ward
ri-ˈwȯ(ə)rd 
: to give a reward to or for
reward
2 of 2 noun
: a stimulus (as food) that serves to reinforce a desired response
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