Synonyms of compensate

compensate 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt 

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

• reimburse
• satisfy
• pay
• recoup
• repay
• remunerate
• indemnify
• recompense
• requite
• refund
• redress
• remedy
• repair
• discharge
• quit

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

• pay
• reimburse
• repay
• remunerate
• refund
• recompense
• pay up
• remit
• prepay
• pay off
• requite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stiff

compensate (for)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to offset

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective

a mafioso thinking that he can compensate for the evil he's done by giving to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offset
• correct
• make up (for)
• neutralize
• cancel (out)
• outweigh
• counteract
• counterbalance
• relieve
• annul
• atone (for)
• remedy
• negative
• counterpoise
• invalidate
• redeem
• nullify
• redress
• negate
• neuter
• overrule
• override
• outbalance

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

Recent Examples of compensate

Verb

Multiple bills have been introduced in Congress to rebuild college sports for this new era, dictating how athletes may or may not participate in sports, how they may be compensated, and how universities may or may not administer their athletic programs. —Sen. Rand Paul Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026

Color grading is the process that video editors and technicians use to give footage different looks based on the director’s wishes, or to compensate for less-than-ideal shooting conditions. —Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026

In addition to the prison sentence he was handed down in 2024, Bankman-Fried was ordered to forfeit $11 billion that the government can use to compensate victims. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 12 June 2026

The fund was meant to compensate people who were purportedly the victims of prosecutorial overreach by the DOJ during the Biden administration. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 June 2026

Phrases Containing compensate

• compensate (for)