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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.

"We cracked a way to compensate for losses continuously."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

UBS views these as positive, “as regional players need to focus on tech partnerships to compensate against scale headwinds.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

It has suction systems to compensate for microgravity.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

And the higher expected returns on equities merely compensate for the risk that will be borne by the taxpayers — a huge and risky financial maneuver with very little payoff.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Gerry then presented his own personal estimate of the revenue required to compensate the slave owners for purchasing their slaves at current market value and came up with the figure of $10 million.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Vocabulary lists containing compensate

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2

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The Crucible

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!