indemnify

verb

in·​dem·​ni·​fy in-ˈdem-nə-ˌfī 

indemnified; indemnifying

transitive verb

1

: to secure against hurt, loss, or damage

2

: to make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage

indemnifier

in-ˈdem-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• compensate
• recompense
• recoup
• remunerate
• requite
• satisfy

Choose the Right Synonym for indemnify

pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something.

pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

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

satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

Examples of indemnify in a Sentence

Again, let's look at auto insurance, which indemnifies the holder against loss. If a policy-holder's car is wrecked, the insurance company sends him a check for the value of the car … —John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, May–June 1992

We moved quickly, and the House approved an appropriation of $60,000 to indemnify Hamilton Jordan for his legal fees. —Tip O'Neill, in Man of the House, 1987

Likewise, the "sexagenarians law," which freed slaves over 60 years old, required those slaves to indemnify their masters, as did nearly every act of manumission. —Shepard Foreman, New York Times Book Review, 2 Nov. 1986

the company generously indemnifies workers who are injured on the job

Recent Examples on the Web

In the United States, that is typically corporate bankruptcy (where the company cannot indemnify due to insolvency) and the settlements of derivative suits where state corporate law does not permit indemnification. —Priya Cherian Huskins, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

By contrast, Delaware corporations are typically not able to indemnify directors and officers for derivative suit settlements. —Priya Cherian Huskins, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Convinced that a massive pandemic was on the way, Congress indemnified the vaccine industry. —Laurie Garrett, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2015

Between the lines: Some expect the companies to turn to Congress for help indemnifying them against the claims. —Tina Reed, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin indemnis unharmed, from in- + damnum damage

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

indemnify

verb

in·​dem·​ni·​fy in-ˈdem-nə-ˌfī 

indemnified; indemnifying

1

: to insure or protect against loss, damage, or injury

2

: to give something in order to make up for loss, damage, or injury

indemnify victims of a disaster

indemnification

-ˌdem-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun

Legal Definition

indemnify

transitive verb

in·​dem·​ni·​fy in-ˈdem-nə-ˌfī 

indemnified; indemnifying

1

: to secure against hurt, loss, or damage

2

: to compensate or reimburse for incurred hurt, loss, or damage

indemnifier noun

Etymology

Latin indemnis unharmed, from in- not + damnum damage