1
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury
- you'll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree
2
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received
- compensate them well for their efforts
Frequently Asked Questions About compensate
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
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Time Traveler for compensate
The first known use of compensate was in 1646
See more words from the same year