as in to repay
to make a return payment to make sure you keep your receipts so we can reimburse you for your expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word reimburse distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reimburse are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is compensate a more appropriate choice than reimburse?

Although the words compensate and reimburse have much in common, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When would indemnify be a good substitute for reimburse?

The synonyms indemnify and reimburse 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 reimburse?

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

paid their bills

When is it sensible to use recompense instead of reimburse?

While the synonyms recompense and reimburse are close in meaning, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When can remunerate be used instead of reimburse?

The words remunerate and reimburse 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 could repay be used to replace reimburse?

The words repay and reimburse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

Where would satisfy be a reasonable alternative to reimburse?

In some situations, the words satisfy and reimburse are roughly equivalent. However, 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 reimburse Nonetheless, insurers in the commercial and public sectors have been reluctant to reimburse them as obesity medications. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Faraji sued in January, accusing the network of failing to pay minimum wages, failure to pay overtime wages and failure to reimburse business expenses. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The money came from the Next Generation Warning System grant program, which Congress created in 2022 to reimburse the cost of replacing and upgrading equipment at public media stations that serve rural and tribal areas. Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025 Campton Hills will get reimbursed for the costs of hiring SB Friedman — estimated at a little over $35,000, per the consultant — by the developer via an escrow agreement with the village, according to Rooney. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reimburse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reimburse
Verb
  • The buyer must repay the full value of the tax credit to the IRS when filing a tax return.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • So if bankruptcy hits one of these borrowers, MSDL is first to be repaid.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Pixel’s Magic Editor leverages generative AI tools, which can remove objects in the background, alter lighting, and realistically change the entire mood of a phone (a bright middary sun can easily be compensated for).
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Efficient, neat, always available as a means of compensating for her (completely justified) fear of not being a brilliant enough copywriter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reimburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reimburse. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reimburse

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