COMPENSATE Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'compensate' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of compensate are indemnify , pay , recompense , reimburse , remunerate , repay , and satisfy . While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," compensate implies a making up for services rendered. // an attorney well compensated for her services

Q: When is it sensible to use 'indemnify' instead of 'compensate'?

Although the words indemnify and compensate 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 'compensate'?

The words pay and compensate can be used in similar contexts, but pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred. // paid their bills

Q: Where would 'recompense' be a reasonable alternative to 'compensate'?

In some situations, the words recompense and compensate are roughly equivalent. However, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward. // passengers were recompensed for the delay

Q: In what contexts can 'reimburse' take the place of 'compensate'?

The synonyms reimburse and compensate are sometimes interchangeable, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit. // reimbursed employees for expenses

Q: When would 'remunerate' be a good substitute for 'compensate'?

The words remunerate and compensate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could 'repay' be used to replace 'compensate'?

While the synonyms repay and compensate are close in meaning, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount. // repay a favor with a favor

Q: When might 'satisfy' be a better fit than 'compensate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to compensate , satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law. // all creditors will be satisfied in full

compensate

verb

ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt

Definition of compensate next

as in to reimburse

to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury you'll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to pay

to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received compensate them well for their efforts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stiff

Synonym Chooser

How is the word compensate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of compensate are indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When is it sensible to use indemnify instead of compensate?

Although the words indemnify and compensate 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 compensate?

The words pay and compensate can be used in similar contexts, but pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

Where would recompense be a reasonable alternative to compensate?

In some situations, the words recompense and compensate are roughly equivalent. However, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

In what contexts can reimburse take the place of compensate?

The synonyms reimburse and compensate are sometimes interchangeable, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When would remunerate be a good substitute for compensate?

The words remunerate and compensate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 repay be used to replace compensate?

While the synonyms repay and compensate are close in meaning, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

When might satisfy be a better fit than compensate?

While in some cases nearly identical to compensate, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Examples 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 compensate In some countries, extended leave may be necessary to compensate for limited public benefits, while others may focus on more flexible return-to-work options. —

Stephen Sokoler, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 This is harder to pull off in an arena-sized space, and to their credit, Rateliff and Co. didn’t try to compensate for the size of a venue like the X by resorting to flashy theatrics. —

Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Nov. 2024 In 2015, the archdiocese agreed to pay $21 million to compensate victims of abuse. —

Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024 Research has shown that one reason for Zoom fatigue is the brain’s attempt to compensate for the lack of full-body, nonverbal communication cues. —

thehustle.co, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compensate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate

Verb

But none of this was enough to carry her burden of showing that the defendant paid the $50,000 to reimburse her for her medical expenses.

Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Under the contract, the Department of Defense would reimburse Boeing for spare parts.

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 30 Oct. 2024