recoup

verb

re·​coup ri-ˈküp How to pronounce recoup (audio)
recouped; recouping; recoups
Synonyms of recoupnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to get an equivalent for (losses) : make up for
b
: reimburse, compensate
recoup a person for losses
2
: regain
an attempt to recoup his fortune

intransitive verb

: to make good or make up for something lost
also : recuperate
recoupable
ri-ˈkü-pə-bəl How to pronounce recoup (audio)
adjective
recoupment
ri-ˈküp-mənt How to pronounce recoup (audio)
noun

Synonyms of recoup

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Examples of recoup in a Sentence

It will be hard for us to recoup the loss. Movie studios can turn to video sales to recoup the costs of a movie that does poorly at the box office. She recouped only a portion of her investment.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That could continue to go up year by year as local governments seek to recoup their funding, Walczak said in his study. — Romy Ellenbogen, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 In 2025, the state boosted the amount of income a worker can recoup while on family leave. — Elly Yu, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 Nvidia's backstops can take many forms, such as guaranteeing a minimum resale price or a minimum hourly offtake price for the chips in the event the lender has to recoup the assets. — Kif Leswing,isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Valve’s Steam is by far the dominant PC gaming platform — so PC gamers who buy a Helix won’t help Microsoft recoup its money. — Sean Hollister, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recoup

Word History

Etymology

French recouper to cut back, from Old French, from re- + couper to cut — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of recoup was in 1628

Rhymes for recoup

See All Rhymes for recoup

Browse Nearby Words

recountal
recoup
recouple
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recoup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recoup. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

recoup

verb
re·​coup ri-ˈküp How to pronounce recoup (audio)
1
: to make up for : recover
recoup a loss
2
: reimburse, compensate
recoup a person for losses
recoupment
-ˈküp-mənt How to pronounce recoup (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

recoup

transitive verb
re·​coup ri-ˈküp How to pronounce recoup (audio)
: recover sense 1
would recoup the overpayment from current claims payments—City of Cordova v. Medicaid Rate Commn., 789 P.2d 346 (1990)
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