1
as in to reimburse
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury you'll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to pay
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received compensate them well for their efforts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word compensate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of compensate are indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When is it sensible to use indemnify instead of compensate?

Although the words indemnify and compensate have much in common, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When can pay be used instead of compensate?

The words pay and compensate can be used in similar contexts, but pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

Where would recompense be a reasonable alternative to compensate?

In some situations, the words recompense and compensate are roughly equivalent. However, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

In what contexts can reimburse take the place of compensate?

The synonyms reimburse and compensate are sometimes interchangeable, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When would remunerate be a good substitute for compensate?

The words remunerate and compensate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When could repay be used to replace compensate?

While the synonyms repay and compensate are close in meaning, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

When might satisfy be a better fit than compensate?

While in some cases nearly identical to compensate, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compensate To compensate for lost revenue, Republicans proposed substantial cuts to social programs, though some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns over cuts to health care access via Medicaid. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025 Sunday’s move also leaves open the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal moving Robinson elsewhere, perhaps to a team in need of shooting that then could compensate the Heat with assets. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025 Mobileye believes that its imaging radar is a perfect complement to cameras, especially in bad weather and will play a big role in compensating for loss of LiDAR and camera sensitivity. Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Owners can appeal in court and be compensated for their attorneys’ fees. Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate
Verb
  • The program was previously designed for large businesses, and they were allowed to get one-quarter of their expenses reimbursed, up to $125,000.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 13 July 2025
  • The company proposed spending nearly $500 million upfront on neighborhood infrastructure before getting reimbursed from a city tax increment financing district.
    Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Nobody complains about the way the health care industry forces us to pay high prices for low-quality service.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Tax revenues generated by the project are paying for the millions in infrastructure repair.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • This level of detail positions your content as the go-to resource that satisfies even the most specific queries.
    Kevin Dam, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Judge Subramanian said the jurors must reach a unanimous verdict, but must not give up their convictions merely to return a verdict or satisfy the rest of the jurors.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Borrowers must typically repay their loans under an IDR plan while working in qualifying nonprofit or government employment on a full-time basis to receive PSLF credit toward loan forgiveness.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • The new agreement, which Fairfield City Council approved March 10, would repay most of that balance to the district, with $300,000 each coming from the city of Fairfield, Cincinnati Holding and Hillwood.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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