Synonyms of repay

repay

verb

(ˌ)rē-ˈpā 

1

as in to reimburse

to make a return payment to

I repaid my friend the $20 he had lent me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reimburse
• refund
• compensate
• pay back
• reciprocate
• render (to)
• give back
• satisfy
• liquidate
• pay off
• pay up
• remunerate
• recompense
• settle
• pay down
• quit

2

as in to pay

to make a return for

how can we ever repay your kindness?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pay
• reciprocate
• exchange
• satisfy
• compensate
• requite
• recompense
• reimburse
• avenge
• refund
• indemnify
• recoup
• remunerate
• give back
• retaliate
• revenge
• get back (at)
• restitute

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• owe
• disregard
• overlook

Synonym Chooser

How is the word repay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of repay are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

In what contexts can compensate take the place of repay?

In some situations, the words compensate and repay are roughly equivalent. However, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When is indemnify a more appropriate choice than repay?

Although the words indemnify and repay have much in common, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When can pay be used instead of repay?

While in some cases nearly identical to repay, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When would recompense be a good substitute for repay?

The synonyms recompense and repay are sometimes interchangeable, but recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When is it sensible to use reimburse instead of repay?

The words reimburse and repay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

Where would remunerate be a reasonable alternative to repay?

While the synonyms remunerate and repay are close in meaning, 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 might satisfy be a better fit than repay?

The meanings of satisfy and repay largely overlap; however, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of repay

He was subsequently ordered to repay 1 million pounds sterling. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026

Congress can fix the rule and avoid these problems by creating a safe harbor for programs whose graduates carry modest debt — under $20,000 at the median, federal and private combined — and have a track record of repaying it. — Nathan Bruschi, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

The loan to Sierra Nevada Biochar LLC will carry a 10% annual interest rate and must be repaid over five years, according to county officials. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Borrowers struggle to repay, lenders suffer losses, and a market crash can spiral into a financial crisis and a painful recession. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026