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

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 compensate In December, new rules from the Department of Transportation came into effect requiring airlines to have stricter standards for accommodating passengers with wheelchairs, as well as requiring airlines to compensate travelers for any damage to their wheelchairs. —

Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2025 Farmers and ranchers can also be compensated for tending to ecosystems in addition to growing food, buffering their income from the vagaries of extreme weather and trade wars. —

Emma Marris, The Atlantic, 25 May 2025 The emphasis on stunts seems to compensate for some personal insecurity that is irrelevant to a movie’s appeal. —

Armond White, National Review, 23 May 2025 In 2007, Manhattan Beach’s first Black city council member championed renaming the beach to Bruce’s Beach, and in 2022, the descendants of the Bruces were compensated for the sale of the beach to Los Angeles County. —

Mariette Williams, Essence, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate

Verb

After the collapse, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation making Santa Cruz eligible for state funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act, which reimburses local governments up to 75% of their losses from floods, wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
Thus, even if a patient utilizes no healthcare services, the MCO gets a payment, and the state gets most of that reimbursed by the federal government.

— Anthony Digiorgio, Oc Register, 20 May 2025

Definition of reimburse

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compends

compensate

compensated

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“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: 3 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of compensate

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Synonyms of compensate

verb

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Phrases Containing compensate

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