1
as in to compensate
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received promptly remunerated the repair company for fixing the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to reimburse
to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury the negligent landlord must remunerate those made homeless by the fire by finding new housing for them at his own expense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word remunerate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of remunerate are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," 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 compensate be used to replace remunerate?

The synonyms compensate and remunerate are sometimes interchangeable, but compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When can indemnify be used instead of remunerate?

While in some cases nearly identical to remunerate, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When is it sensible to use pay instead of remunerate?

Although the words pay and remunerate have much in common, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When would recompense be a good substitute for remunerate?

The words recompense and remunerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When might reimburse be a better fit than remunerate?

The words reimburse and remunerate can be used in similar contexts, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is repay a more appropriate choice than remunerate?

In some situations, the words repay and remunerate are roughly equivalent. However, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

In what contexts can satisfy take the place of remunerate?

The meanings of satisfy and remunerate largely overlap; 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 remunerate Creators need to be consulted, give consent and be remunerated when their work is used to develop AI models. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2024 As part of an agreement to end the strike, a payment pot was set up to remunerate actors based on future viewings of their work on streaming services. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 May 2024 The majority of truly important work is not highly remunerated. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2024 However, the writers who create the stories which appear on these platforms are not being adequately remunerated for their work. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for remunerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remunerate
Verb
  • The leaders of the programs, the head coaches, are compensated well.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The company devoted $250,000 to compensate lawyers — the 3rd largest amount of any Indiana employer — in addition to the utility's spend on entertainment.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed, Hartmann said.
    Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 15 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Remunerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remunerate. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

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