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Definitions

compensate

[kom-puhn-seyt] / ˈkɒm pənˌseɪt /
VERB
make restitution
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atone pay recoup refund reimburse repay reward satisfy take care of
STRONG
commit indemnify recompense remunerate requite
WEAK
come down with guerdon make good pay up plank out pony up shell out tickle the palm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
lose penalize take
WEAK
damage deprive fine forfeit
VERB
offset, make up for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fix improve repair
STRONG
abrogate annul balance better counteract counterbalance counterpoise countervail invalidate negate negative neutralize nullify outweigh redress
WEAK
atone for cancel out make amends set off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage destroy hurt injure
STRONG
approve permit support validate worsen
WEAK
deprive fine forfeit lose penalize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"These findings suggest that when stroke damage leads to greater movement loss, undamaged regions on the opposite side of the brain may adapt to help compensate," Kim explained.

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

But prosecutors told the judge that both could be true: Jeffries has already had $11m in cash seized by the US government and if found guilty, may be ordered to compensate victims.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

School districts and more than 40 state Attorneys General have also sued for damages to compensate for social problems allegedly caused by the platforms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Private-credit lenders offer higher yields to investors to compensate for the heightened risks.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Dany had refused to compensate any of the Great Masters for the value of their slaves, but the Meereenese kept devising other ways to squeeze coin from her.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.