compensate

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