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

Boards routinely commit millions of dollars to CEOs and other senior leaders through salary, equity, long-term incentive plans, retention packages, and other forms of executive compensation.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Carradine’s family and estate are seeking unspecified general and wrongful-death damages and compensation for medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of compensation

Noun

Supporting the easiest payment method on a phone ought to be second nature to mobile-app developers, but too many continue to make this mistake.

— Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
BofA also expects some retailers will work with brands to recoup some tariff money, either via direct payments or future purchase order negotiations.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of payment

Verb

As litigation drags on, the plaintiff will necessarily require a higher settlement amount to compensate for the fees incurred so far and this will make the case more difficult to settle.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
To compensate, attackers have increasingly relied on infostealer malware and adversary-in-the–middle attacks.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of 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

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

Noun

Ms Rachel pushes reparations quote in latest progressive political move.

— , FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Understanding Caribbean history For Bousquet, the debate over reparations remains tied to how the Caribbean understands its own history, including slavery’s abolition and emancipation.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of reparation

Noun

Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
The eight-person jury will serve an advisory function — ultimately, District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will consider the jury’s decision and rule on the verdict and potential damages.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of damages

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recommitting

recompense

recompensed

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“Recompense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recompense. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of recompense

noun

verb

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