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

Zolghadr also calls for the US to compensate Iran for damage caused by the conflict and release frozen Iranian assets. — Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 Committed employees are often the most willing to compensate for an organization’s weaknesses. — Brian Eason, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 Today, it is often added to sugar-free options by brands to compensate for taste and can be purchased under the brand names of NutraSweet, Equal, and Sugar Twin. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Recommendations from the Russell City Reparative Justice Project were used as a framework to establish a joint redress fund for former residents and their descendants, one that could finally compensate them for the county’s unjust policies. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compensate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compensate

Verb

The funding would reimburse services provided to Oakland County residents, including cancer screenings, annual wellness exams, STI testing and treatment, contraception, and reproductive health counseling.

— Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
That rule was largely started to reimburse students that went to for-profit colleges, it's now being applied to nonprofit colleges.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

Or, at the very least, set aside assets that can be liquidated to satisfy the guarantee even if that means that some assets will not be fully deployed to gain additional leverage.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
But some observers believe there’s nothing Paramount could agree to that would satisfy the state AGs or other opponents of the deal.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

That can make alternatives such as debt settlement appealing, particularly if financial hardship has made the original balance difficult to repay.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Tung Hsin had repaid 47 percent and planned to reach full reimbursement by December.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of repay

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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 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of compensate

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Synonyms of compensate

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