rewarded; rewarding; rewards
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
2
: a stimulus (such as food) that is administered to an organism and serves to reinforce a desired response
Synonyms
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
Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
In return for my honesty, I was rewarded with an outpouring of confidence from women and men, who were considering cosmetic changes and needed a sounding board.
—Patricia Tortolani, Allure, 3 Apr. 2024
Rather than encourage quick and pithy exchanges, the game asked me to take time to reach consensus, something that digital spaces don’t often reward.
—Camille Butera, WIRED, 1 Apr. 2024
Traditionally, concert-goers endured long lines for entry, but this year, Delta rewarded attendees who were SkyMilesⓇ Members with expedited access, ensuring Members could bypass the queues and swiftly gain priority.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
Ports that expanded their facilities and equipment were often rewarded with economic success.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Sightings are not guaranteed, but patience and vigilance are often rewarded.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
While elite singles skating often rewards youth – requiring immense stamina to pull off quadruple jumps or triple-triple jump combinations – pairs skating comes with its own hazards.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Scientists suggest the golden head feathers were rewarded by natural selection, as females chose the most vibrantly colored hybrids to reproduce with.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Animal rights group Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or people responsible for shooting the dog, per the Stamford Advocate.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
As a cold storm swept through Downtown, Luckey's sister stood clutching a poster offering a reward for information with rain and tears on her face.
—The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted to the hotline.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Many brands offer rewards programs as well as discounts.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
While Costco gas stations often offer lower prices than other spots, Citi’s Visa card offers the cashback reward at other stations.
—Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to the arrests of the suspects.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The upcoming Bitcoin halving event, which will reduce the reward for mining new Bitcoin by half around mid-April, is also responsible for market volatility.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
Establishing peonies may take time, but you’ll be rewarded with blooms for years to come.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
In return for my honesty, I was rewarded with an outpouring of confidence from women and men, who were considering cosmetic changes and needed a sounding board.
—Patricia Tortolani, Allure, 3 Apr. 2024
Rather than encourage quick and pithy exchanges, the game asked me to take time to reach consensus, something that digital spaces don’t often reward.
—Camille Butera, WIRED, 1 Apr. 2024
Traditionally, concert-goers endured long lines for entry, but this year, Delta rewarded attendees who were SkyMilesⓇ Members with expedited access, ensuring Members could bypass the queues and swiftly gain priority.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
Ports that expanded their facilities and equipment were often rewarded with economic success.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Sightings are not guaranteed, but patience and vigilance are often rewarded.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
While elite singles skating often rewards youth – requiring immense stamina to pull off quadruple jumps or triple-triple jump combinations – pairs skating comes with its own hazards.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Scientists suggest the golden head feathers were rewarded by natural selection, as females chose the most vibrantly colored hybrids to reproduce with.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
Trevino was captured in 2013 after the U.S. offered a $5 million reward to help finding him.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Animal rights group Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or people responsible for shooting the dog, per the Stamford Advocate.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
As a cold storm swept through Downtown, Luckey's sister stood clutching a poster offering a reward for information with rain and tears on her face.
—The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted to the hotline.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Many brands offer rewards programs as well as discounts.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
While Costco gas stations often offer lower prices than other spots, Citi’s Visa card offers the cashback reward at other stations.
—Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to the arrests of the suspects.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The upcoming Bitcoin halving event, which will reduce the reward for mining new Bitcoin by half around mid-April, is also responsible for market volatility.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French regarder, rewarder to look back at, regard, care for, recompense — more at regard entry 2
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of reward was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing reward
Dictionary Entries Near reward
Cite this Entry
“Reward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reward. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on reward
Nglish: Translation of reward for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of reward for Arabic Speakers
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