as in damages
payment to another for a loss or injury
the government instituted a program of reparations to the descendants of Native Americans who were driven from their land
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Recent Examples of reparations
Newsom has thrown himself behind progressive stances on affirmative action, crime, and reparations, having recently signed a bill to create an agency that will deliver restitution to the descendants of slaves.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, the question of environmental reparations is not without precedent.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
In 2022, the group met with 45 education leaders from eight regional school districts to brainstorm a range of ideas, including joint summer school programs and a campaign to better fund MPS as part of reparations for housing discrimination.
—Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Scaffolding, ultimately, is less like reparations and more like universal basic income.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The survey focuses on whether educators are properly teaching students about reparations precedents.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
As for the reparations loan, Belgium – which holds a large majority of the immobilized funds – is fearful of future retaliation by Russia or liability if a peace agreement leads to Moscow demanding return of the funds.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
South Korean progressives are also more inclined to call attention to Japan’s mistreatment of Koreans during its colonial rule and are willing to challenge existing bilateral arrangements for reparations.
—Ayumi Teraoka, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2025
The European Council meeting, due to conclude Friday, will have funding options for reparations loans to Ukraine high on the agenda.
—Chloe Taylor,ritika Gupta, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, the question of environmental reparations is not without precedent.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
In 2022, the group met with 45 education leaders from eight regional school districts to brainstorm a range of ideas, including joint summer school programs and a campaign to better fund MPS as part of reparations for housing discrimination.
—Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Scaffolding, ultimately, is less like reparations and more like universal basic income.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The survey focuses on whether educators are properly teaching students about reparations precedents.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
As for the reparations loan, Belgium – which holds a large majority of the immobilized funds – is fearful of future retaliation by Russia or liability if a peace agreement leads to Moscow demanding return of the funds.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
South Korean progressives are also more inclined to call attention to Japan’s mistreatment of Koreans during its colonial rule and are willing to challenge existing bilateral arrangements for reparations.
—Ayumi Teraoka, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2025
The European Council meeting, due to conclude Friday, will have funding options for reparations loans to Ukraine high on the agenda.
—Chloe Taylor,ritika Gupta, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reparations
Noun
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Court records indicate the case went to trial in 2017 and the jury found that while Page was negligent, that negligence was not the cause of damages suffered by Miller.—
Clark Kauffman,
Des Moines Register,
28 Jan. 2026
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Texas Business Courts were created in 2024 to take on complex business litigation in cases seeking more than $5 million in damages.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Being stuck in a state of fight-or-flight increases protective muscle tension, altering movement mechanics, limiting mobility, and increasing the likelihood of compensations that can lead to pain or injury.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
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The Suns reportedly offered Royce O'Neale and second-round compensations.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reparations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reparations. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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