RECOMPENSE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of recompense are compensate , indemnify , pay , reimburse , remunerate , repay , and satisfy . While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward. // passengers were recompensed for the delay

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

The words compensate and recompense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered. // an attorney well compensated for her services

Q: When would 'indemnify' be a good substitute for 'recompense'?

The synonyms indemnify and recompense are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare. // indemnified the families of the dead miners

Q: When might 'pay' be a better fit than 'recompense'?

The meanings of pay and recompense largely overlap; however, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred. // paid their bills

Q: When can 'reimburse' be used instead of 'recompense'?

In some situations, the words reimburse and recompense are roughly equivalent. However, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit. // reimbursed employees for expenses

Q: When is it sensible to use 'remunerate' instead of 'recompense'?

The words remunerate and recompense can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is 'repay' a more appropriate choice than 'recompense'?

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

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

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

recompense 1 of 2

noun

Definition of recompense

as in compensation

payment to another for a loss or injury the jury awarded an additional $5,000 in recompense for physical pain and suffering

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in payment

something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services the volunteer expects nothing more than sincere thanks as recompense for his efforts

Synonyms & Similar Words

recompense

2 of 2

verb

ˈre-kəm-ˌpen(t)s

as in to compensate

to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received the cash-strapped museum can recompense lecturers with only token honorariums

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stiff

as in to pay

to give what is owed for that company still needs to recompense the work that the contractor finished last month

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repudiate

as in to reimburse

to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury the government has yet to adequately recompense the property owners for the land taken for the new highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to repay

to make a return for the wealthy gentleman told the poor little girl she could recompense his generosity simply by enjoying her new toys

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recompense distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recompense are compensate, indemnify, pay, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

In what contexts can compensate take the place of recompense?

The words compensate and recompense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When would indemnify be a good substitute for recompense?

The synonyms indemnify and recompense are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When might pay be a better fit than recompense?

The meanings of pay and recompense largely overlap; however, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When can reimburse be used instead of recompense?

In some situations, the words reimburse and recompense are roughly equivalent. However, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is it sensible to use remunerate instead of recompense?

The words remunerate and recompense can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is repay a more appropriate choice than recompense?

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

repay a favor with a favor

Where would satisfy be a reasonable alternative to recompense?

While in some cases nearly identical to recompense, 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 recompense

Noun

The consumer still pays at the pump this morning and receives a modest quarterly rebate months later — a recompense that is too small and too slow. — David S. Cohen, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026 Some 3,000 businesses have filed lawsuits seeking recompense, Automotive News reported, many of them car manufacturers. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

Businesses fail if proceeds do not recompense all expenses used in producing and delivering their products. — Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2024 The farmers argue that they should be recompensed by Texas under the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment. — Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for recompense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recompense

Noun

Not surprisingly, the legislation does nothing to curb the growth of compensation and other benefits for college presidents, athletics directors, coaches and staff who continue to be in charge of the athletes under their control.

— Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Poolson said the immediate goal was to secure compensation for workers and their families.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of compensation

Noun

Upgrading to the Thrust Variant requires a $245,000 follow-up payment and adds SpaceX cold-gas rear thrusters alongside an active multi-mode fan system for downforce, cutting acceleration down to under a second.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
The language suggests the deal involves obligations that have yet to be fulfilled, potentially including a financial payment.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of payment

Verb

In which case, who is ultimately on the hook to compensate any victims?

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Government spending remains well above its peers in the politically sensitive realm of social protections, particularly pensions and healthcare, while tepid economic growth has failed to compensate.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

What began as a few purists chasing a vibe became an ingredient an entire industry pays extra for.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The data showed that principals often earn from $158,000 to $186,000 per year, while assistant principals were generally paid $150,000 to $179,000.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of pay

Verb

The prescriptions were often billed to and reimbursed by Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, the lawsuit says.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The White House later said the president would not reimburse the federal government for the cost of the ads that had already aired.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

Lenders may also consider other factors, such as your employment history and existing debt, when evaluating your ability to repay the loan.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
That surprise vote in May prompted state lawmakers to threaten to force Charlotte and other local governments to repay hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the project.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of repay

Noun

The perspective and agency of the protagonists shift, motivated by their desire for justice and reparations.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
While the British government has consistently rejected calls for financial reparations, the Crown’s referral effectively delegates the legal parsing of these historical grievances to the Privy Council in London.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of reparation

Browse Nearby Words

recommitting

recompense

recompensed

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Style

“Recompense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recompense. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of recompense

noun

verb

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