recompense 1 of 2

recompense

2 of 2

verb

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
as in to pay
to give what is owed for that company still needs to recompense the work that the contractor finished last month

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recompense distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recompense are compensate, indemnify, pay, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

In what contexts can compensate take the place of recompense?

The words compensate and recompense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When would indemnify be a good substitute for recompense?

The synonyms indemnify and recompense are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When might pay be a better fit than recompense?

The meanings of pay and recompense largely overlap; however, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When can reimburse be used instead of recompense?

In some situations, the words reimburse and recompense are roughly equivalent. However, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is it sensible to use remunerate instead of recompense?

The words remunerate and recompense can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is repay a more appropriate choice than recompense?

While the synonyms repay and recompense are close in meaning, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

Where would satisfy be a reasonable alternative to recompense?

While in some cases nearly identical to recompense, 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 recompense
Noun
Considering the lateness in the season, a partial credit or pass for next year seems like a fair recompense. South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2025 Some states and localities have filed lawsuits seeking recompense for the damage allegedly caused to their area by climate change. Josiah Neeley, Oc Register, 21 May 2025
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
  • The Marshall Islands has received compensation payments from the US but says these are dwarfed by the true scale of the damages.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
  • An advisory vote on compensation that may be paid to Piedmont’s executive officers related to the merger.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • If the winner chooses the annuity, their average annual payment would drop from more than $20 million down to $12.7 million after applying taxes.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • From there, the scammer offers exclusive perks, VIP access, autographed gear, and even romantic promises in exchange for untraceable payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Shareholders will be compensated with $16.75 per share in cash, a 26% premium above the previous closing price.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The leaders of the programs, the head coaches, are compensated well.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Officials would've had to raise taxes to pay for these projects, County Commissioner Marty Heffner said during a meeting in 2021.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Mecklenburg voters will decide the fate of a referendum to raise the county’s sales tax to pay for road, rail and bus projects this November.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed, Hartmann said.
    Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Martin said he was told that the city’s insurance also is not responsible for reimbursing the city.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s team, meanwhile, pretended that their client’s misrepresentations did not matter because his lenders got repaid.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • The defense also noted bankers and insurers independently evaluated the numbers, and the loans were repaid.
    Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The reparations bill has sparked considerable debate, in part because it was vetoed by Wes Moore, the country’s only Black governor.
    Nkechi Taifa, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2025
  • The Court found that large GHG emitting countries, like the United States could be liable to pay reparations to smaller countries for the adverse impacts of climate change.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recompense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recompense. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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