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

Kafka’s characters do not expect any recompense for their misadventures, only an explanation for what is happening to them. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 With Fletcher’s death, and the prospect of personal recompense answered, the question becomes what America will remember of that day. — Caleb Gayle, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 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 That date is when the Biden administration's requirement that private insurance companies recompense those who buy over-the-counter COVID tests goes into effect. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for recompense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recompense

Noun

In addition to the monetary compensation and scholarship awards, pageantry is also helping the girls build confidence and learn key behavioral skills.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Take action to protect your identity Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Definition of compensation

Noun

Anderson has since remarried and currently works as chief of staff for corporate development at payment technology company Celero Commerce.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
These businesses live or die by people answering phones, booking jobs, chasing payments and calming down upset customers.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of payment

Verb

Then incorporate it into performance reviews, and create structures to compensate for the extra time and emotional energy spent on it.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Douglas said automatic gratuities also serve a practical purpose for larger parties, helping to ensure servers are fairly compensated for the additional coordination and service those tables require.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

The city issues funding in the form of bonds, which is then reimbursed by new property tax revenue collected in the area in future years.

— Ilana Arougheti July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Child-care advocates are supporting new legislation, Assembly Bill 1981, to lock in a timeline that would allow providers to be reimbursed for their services at increasing rates.

— Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of reimburse

Verb

Under the standard plan, borrowers will have between 10 years and 25 years to repay their loans depending on the amount borrowed.

— Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Getty Images Key Facts Last year’s spending bill imposed a number of changes on how student loans are capped, regulated and repaid, including establishing new repayment plans and caps on loans.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of repay

Noun

Alameda County supervisors voted Tuesday to create a permanent reparations committee for Black residents, moving a sweeping set of recommendations from study to the harder question of implementation.

— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 1 July 2026
This vessel has a controversial past, built by Nazi Germany in 1935 as SSS *Horst Wessel*, named after a Nazi martyr, before being taken as war reparations by the US.

— Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of reparation

Noun

In the lawsuit, Flagg is asking for injunctive relief, damages, profits and attorneys' fees, arguing Swift's use of the phrase could create consumer confusion and damage the value of her existing brand.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 6 July 2026
According to the complaint, the Barbours are seeking personal injury damages for their physical injuries, and survival and wrongful death damages for Avila's estate.

— Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of recompense

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