REPAY Synonyms: 27 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

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 repay The cost to repay the bond will be about $500 million annually over the next 35 years, which will come out of the state’s General Fund. —

Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2024 If that wager settles as a loss, Caesars will repay you in full with a single-use bonus bet. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 The city will repay the money using annual property taxes levied on all taxable property within the city. —

Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 If your first wager with ESPN BET settles as a loss, the sportsbook will repay that loss back to you in bonus bets. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repay

Verb

The spokesperson said that the department’s oversight has also helped some customers get reimbursed for out-of-network costs incurred due to directory errors.

Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024
The department also proposes reimbursing local education agencies for special education costs in early childhood education.

Rebecca Loroff, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024