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 Customers could always override the shifts and utilities would be allowed to compensate participants through annual payments or a case-by-case basis, Klopfenstein said. Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025 Formally recognizing and educating the public about the essential role the Rapa Nui played in the eventual discovery of rapamycin is key to compensating them for their contributions. Ted Powers, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025 In the case of watchmakers who are no longer living, like George Daniels, Marteau will compensate the watchmaker’s private foundation. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025 If we were somehow compensated for that, maybe, but nobody gives us a choice in anything. Allaire Nuss, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate
Verb
  • However, if an employee purchases eligible health care items or services during furlough, they can’t be reimbursed from a flexible spending account until the worker returns to pay status and payroll deductions can be made.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Unfortunately, bank customers aren't always reimbursed when they're hit by some scams, including when they're deceived into making a payment to a con artist, such as in a romance scam.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The state made a similar deal with the white owners of a nearby daycare that had to close due to flooding -- but ALDOT paid those property owners $165,000 for a portion of their property.
    Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Typically, financial advisors are paid via commission, fees or a hybrid of the two.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There's a debate raging about whether adding a squirrel feeding station filled with corn or peanuts to your garden will satisfy the rodents and keep them away from bulbs.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Waukesha County cheers key step in the process For Waukesha County, Boardman's statement satisfies officials' hope that state transportation leaders are at least acknowledging the importance of I-94 locally and are following the steps necessary to make a project happen at some point.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Other funds will come from MTA debt sales repaid with revenue from a congestion pricing toll that charges motorists to drive on Manhattan’s busiest streets.
    Gregory Korte, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Any unemployment benefits received will likely need to be repaid if workers receive backpay after the shutdown ends.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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