1
as in compensation
payment to another for a loss or injury
the jury awarded an additional $5,000 in recompense for physical pain and suffering
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2
as in payment
something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services
the volunteer expects nothing more than sincere thanks as recompense for his efforts
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to compensate
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received
the cash-strapped museum can recompense lecturers with only token honorariums
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to reimburse
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury
the government has yet to adequately recompense the property owners for the land taken for the new highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to repay
to make a return for
the wealthy gentleman told the poor little girl she could recompense his generosity simply by enjoying her new toys
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recompense
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
During a recent sit-down with Willie D, the rapper spoke his mind about dating, social media and the backlash he’s received, and most importantly, to him, whether the ancestors of America’s enslaved people are owed recompense.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2023
European countries like Germany and the UK have shored up money for their violent role in suppressing Namibian and Kenyan protests, but the Netherlands is the first to publicly acknowledge and recompense for slavery.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 23 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for recompense
Noun
Then, of course, the people who understood the brand left and people came in who saw only the recompense of taking money.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
During a recent sit-down with Willie D, the rapper spoke his mind about dating, social media and the backlash he’s received, and most importantly, to him, whether the ancestors of America’s enslaved people are owed recompense.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Thurber complained to him about being asked to recompense The New Yorker for a sixty-dollar overpayment; writers got paid by the word (still do), and the accounting department had calculated that the final word count on a certain Thurber story was less than the original word count.
—Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2023
European countries like Germany and the UK have shored up money for their violent role in suppressing Namibian and Kenyan protests, but the Netherlands is the first to publicly acknowledge and recompense for slavery.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 23 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for recompense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recompense
Noun
-
At the annual meeting, shareholders approved the company's executive compensation plan and reelected all 13 board members.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
-
President Donald Trump's rapid pullback of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has cost Americans at least $18 billion in higher fees and lost compensation for consumers allegedly cheated by major companies, according to an analysis released Tuesday by two organizations.—
Douglas Gillison,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Overseeing name, image and likeness payments was previously the responsibility of the NCAA, which coaches and others have opined did little to enforce rules or investigate potential violations.—
Taylor Lyons,
Baltimore Sun,
30 June 2025
-
Google, Meta, Microsoft, Visa, and Mastercard have invested in cloud infrastructure, payments, and talent development.—
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Not only does this type of pain point to an underlying injury, pushing through can lead to a secondary injury, because other muscles and tissues absorb extra stress to compensate.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
23 June 2025
-
Foremost, Desmond Bane was no more than a third wheel for the Grizzlies, behind Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., with ample options currently on Memphis’ roster to compensate for the dealing of Bane.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
The cost of the wedding has been estimated at up to nearly $50M, infuriating locals and activists who claim Amazon pays minimal taxes in European countries and point to Bezos’ use of his extreme personal wealth to effectively take over parts of the historic city, disrupting daily life.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
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And the companies that pay attention will reap the benefits.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Provider taxes States can boost federal Medicaid contributions to their states through what's known as a provider tax, often levying taxes on health care providers, which raises the overall cost of a service and therefore increases the portion reimbursed by the state.—
July 1,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
-
Arkansas, Missouri and Texas have already barred Planned Parenthood from getting reimbursed by Medicaid for any kind of health care.—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
These half-century-old awards, which don’t need to be repaid, make a big difference in whether students from families of modest means enroll and stay in college, their supporters say.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
Under the law, customers would remain responsible for whatever costs are approved by PURA, but repay them in smaller monthly installments over a longer period.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Should reparations be paid to the descendants of enslaved people?—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
The second and third generations continue to press for material reparations and denuclearization.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recompense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recompense. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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