REPAY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

repay

verb

(ˌ)rē-ˈpā

Definition of repay next

as in to reimburse

to make a return payment to I repaid my friend the $20 he had lent me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to pay

to make a return for how can we ever repay your kindness?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 repay Getty Images Key Facts Last year’s spending bill imposed a number of changes on how student loans are capped, regulated and repaid, including establishing new repayment plans and caps on loans. —

Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 While debt relief programs generally aren't designed for estates, understanding how creditors approach settlements can sometimes make negotiations more productive when an estate cannot fully repay outstanding obligations. —

Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026 However, new financing has helped the company repay its vendors and companies like Kering—which owns Gucci and Saint Laurent—are hoping Exemplar’s reemergence can strengthen the overall luxury retail infrastructure. —

Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 June 2026 EchoStar, which merged with Dish in 2024, has been struggling to repay $25 billion in debt, and Ergen has publicly warned that bankruptcy was a possibility. —

Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for repay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repay

Verb

The city issues funding in the form of bonds, which is then reimbursed by new property tax revenue collected in the area in future years.

— Ilana Arougheti July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Child-care advocates are supporting new legislation, Assembly Bill 1981, to lock in a timeline that would allow providers to be reimbursed for their services at increasing rates.

— Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

Members of the Algerian team are reciprocating Lawrence’s appreciation by engulfing themselves in KU’s Jayhawk culture.

— PJ Green June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Trump reciprocated by making Macron the guest of honor the following year at his first White House state dinner, the highest diplomatic honor the United States can extend to an ally.

— Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Definition of reciprocate

Verb

Clark stood her ground, the two exchanged words, and officials hit Clark with her fifth technical foul of the season.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Cellphone video verified by NBC News shows someone in fatigues-style clothing appearing to exchange rounds with police.

— Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 22 June 2026

Definition of exchange

Verb

If there isn't enough money to satisfy every creditor, state probate laws determine the order in which claims are paid.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 June 2026
The Justices ruled the president cannot redefine birthright citizenship, and all children who are born in the United States, whether their parents are in the country legally or not, satisfy citizenship requirements in the 14th amendment.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

Then incorporate it into performance reviews, and create structures to compensate for the extra time and emotional energy spent on it.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Douglas said automatic gratuities also serve a practical purpose for larger parties, helping to ensure servers are fairly compensated for the additional coordination and service those tables require.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026