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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Synonym Chooser

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 Federal workers do not get paid during a shutdown — employees classified as essential continue to work but are not paid at the time and are instead reimbursed after the closure ends. Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025 If an airport ceases service for more than six hours, you may be reimbursed for non-refundable expenses like flights, hotels, prepaid tours, and change fees. AFAR Media, 1 Oct. 2025 If the idea of an AI helping to decide whether you get reimbursed for a medical procedure or reminding your doctor about your tricky medical condition seems worrying — Droege says companies also need human experts to contribute to and constantly improve the AI. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 Detectives are also looking into the cost of the investigation so Speight can possibly reimburse them for it, Moore tells PEOPLE. Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reimburse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reimburse
Verb
  • Other funds will come from MTA debt sales repaid with revenue from a congestion pricing toll that charges motorists to drive on Manhattan’s busiest streets.
    Gregory Korte, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Any unemployment benefits received will likely need to be repaid if workers receive backpay after the shutdown ends.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The government agreed this year to settle an excessive force lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union by paying compensating several plaintiffs for their injuries.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Compile enough good players who are compensated fairly, and the financial situation eventually becomes untenable.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reimburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reimburse. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reimburse

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