1
as in reimburses
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
Relevance
2
as in pays
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
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 compensates
The Somogyi Effect If your blood sugar gets low at night, your body compensates by making more blood sugar.
—
Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026
However, research findings are mixed, and not everyone compensates by eating more.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 4 Mar. 2026
When your range of motion is limited, your body compensates to perform movements, which shifts stress onto joints and muscles in areas not designed to absorb it.
—Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Kennedy has taken steps to overhaul a program that compensates people hurt by vaccines.
—John Wilkerson, STAT, 24 Feb. 2026
The angle of the open tent top will cut into the 48-in (122-cm) width, affecting the shoulder and elbow room of whoever's sleeping next to it, but IO compensates by giving the fabric entry-side wall a similar angle.
—New Atlas, 20 Feb. 2026
On Monday, Nichols introduced an update to Idaho’s existing law that compensates crime victims if the perpetrator reaches a financial agreement to tell their story.
—Kevin Fixler
january 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Or that players need to change their approach to off-season training to account for the quick lateral movements that can lead to acute injuries, or that team trainers need to be more prophylactic and smarter about understanding the way the body compensates for instabilities.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
If her musical moments are too few, her presence compensates for the imbalance.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Nov. 2025
Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026
However, research findings are mixed, and not everyone compensates by eating more.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 4 Mar. 2026
When your range of motion is limited, your body compensates to perform movements, which shifts stress onto joints and muscles in areas not designed to absorb it.
—Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Kennedy has taken steps to overhaul a program that compensates people hurt by vaccines.
—John Wilkerson, STAT, 24 Feb. 2026
The angle of the open tent top will cut into the 48-in (122-cm) width, affecting the shoulder and elbow room of whoever's sleeping next to it, but IO compensates by giving the fabric entry-side wall a similar angle.
—New Atlas, 20 Feb. 2026
On Monday, Nichols introduced an update to Idaho’s existing law that compensates crime victims if the perpetrator reaches a financial agreement to tell their story.
—Kevin Fixler
january 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Or that players need to change their approach to off-season training to account for the quick lateral movements that can lead to acute injuries, or that team trainers need to be more prophylactic and smarter about understanding the way the body compensates for instabilities.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
If her musical moments are too few, her presence compensates for the imbalance.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensates
Verb
-
The foundation reimburses special education teachers for out-of-pocket costs, since their classrooms often have fewer resources than others.—
Karen Hua,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The money reimburses the county for expenses such as training and equipment, said Jennifer Gabbert, chief deputy with the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Often referred to as the state’s chief fiscal officer, the state comptroller pays the state’s bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In Florida, a defendant usually pays 10% of the total bond amount to a bondsman to bail out of jail.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the Department of Health Care Services also commissioned one additional option to increase the capacity for initial training, hiring UCSD to create ASCEND, a free and self-paced online program that satisfies the requirement.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Redlands school officials said the suspension of privileges will remain in place until a student satisfies certain conditions, such as attending a session of Saturday school or performing four hours of community service.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Creature repays the favor by using his strength to free the ship from its icy prison.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The city repays the bondholders over time, plus interest, using property taxes.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compensates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensates. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
