COMPENSATORY Synonyms: 41 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 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt

Definition of compensate

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

compensate (for)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to offset

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective a mafioso thinking that he can compensate for the evil he's done by giving to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Verb

The creditor will still have to fork over hard cash to pay for the costs of the auction (which is usually nominal) as well as to compensate the debtor for any exemption value of that asset. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Higher-than-average TSH readings occur when the body attempts to compensate for low hormone levels by alerting the thyroid to produce more. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026 Instead, the positive and negative charges compensate for each other, allowing the electric field to spread more evenly through the device. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Its services are free of cost to their members; the company is compensated by the members’ managed care plans through their insurance. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compensate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate

Verb

The disaster declaration for the state as a whole will reimburse public property repair costs in Beadle, Bennett, Buffalo, Day, Hand, Hughes, Hyde and Stanley Counties, along with the Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations.

— John Hult, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026
The judge ruled the city is authorized to address the nuisance conditions, either by boarding up buildings or demolishing them, and instructed Olive Park’s owners to reimburse the city for the work.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

Google will pay an additional $190 million to Entergy for transmission system upgrades needed to serve the project.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
With consumers paying an average of $49,855 for new cars in July 2026, according to Cox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book, only nine major car brands averaged sale prices under $40,000 in the United States.

— Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pay

Verb

Developers must also satisfy nuclear cybersecurity rules, Department of War authorization requirements and protections for operational technology and industrial control systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
The kind of dessert that satisfies your craving, but doesn’t taste too sickly sweet.

— George Yang, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

Because Leonard and the NBA Players Association signed off on his repaying $700,000, there was no further process that would require an arbitrator.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
If those IOUs are set to be repaid many years from now, they’re called bonds.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of repay

Browse Nearby Words

compends

compensate

compensated

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“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compensate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of compensate

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Synonyms of compensate

verb (1)

verb (2)

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Phrases Containing compensate

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