reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce reparation (audio)
Synonyms of reparation
1
a
: a repairing or keeping in repair
b
reparations plural : repairs
2
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
3
: the payment of damages : indemnification
specifically : compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually plural

Synonyms of reparation

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Examples of reparation in a Sentence

The country paid millions in reparations. They've offered no apologies and seem to have no thoughts of reparation. She says she's sorry and wants to make reparations.
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.
Later, in 1711, the colony passed a legislative act to make reparations to the victims, including restoring the good names of the accused and paying financial retributions to the families of the accused. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 Wideman was one of the first recipients of a $25,000 reparations payment from the city. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 To move forward and, one day, make reparation would surely mean including voices that might have made Mike Wallace nervous, and perhaps fall well outside Weiss’s favored forty-yard lines. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 The perspective and agency of the protagonists shift, motivated by their desire for justice and reparations. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reparation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reparacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin reparation-, reparatio, from Latin reparare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reparation was in the 14th century

Rhymes for reparation

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Browse Nearby Words

reparable
reparation
reparative
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Cite this Entry

“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reparation

noun
rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce reparation (audio)
1
: a repairing or keeping in repair
a building in need of constant reparation
2
: the act of making up for a wrong
3
: money or materials paid or to be paid by a country losing a war to the winner to make up for damages done in the war
—usually used in plural

Legal Definition

reparation

noun
rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce reparation (audio)
1
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
2
: the payment of damages
specifically : compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in pl.
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