Compensate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt/ com·pen·sate

Meaning & Definition of Compensate

Compensate (verb)

  1. to be equivalent to, counterbalance
  2. to make an appropriate and usually counterbalancing payment to
  3. to provide with means of counteracting variation

Compensate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury

    "you'll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree"

    similar: indemnify, recompense, recoup, remunerate, requite, satisfy
    related: refund, reimburse, repay, redress, remedy, repair, discharge, pay, quit

  2. to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received

    "compensate them well for their efforts"

    similar: pay, recompense, remunerate
    related: refund, reimburse, repay, requite, remit, pay off, pay up, prepay
    near: stiff

Related Entry: Compensate (for) (verb)

Compensate (for) is a different word from Compensate. The synonyms below are for compensate (for), not for compensate.

  1. to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective

    "a mafioso thinking that he can compensate for the evil he's done by giving to charity"

    similar: annul, cancel (out), correct, counteract, counterbalance, counterpoise, make up (for), negative, neutralize, offset
    related: invalidate, negate, neuter, nullify, atone (for), outbalance, outweigh, redeem, redress, relieve, remedy, override, overrule

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compensate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compensate:

indemnify, recompense, recoup, remunerate, requite, satisfy, pay

Related Words for Compensate

refund, reimburse, repay, redress, remedy, repair, discharge, quit, remit, pay off, pay up, prepay

Near Antonyms of Compensate

stiff

Word Forms of Compensate

Inflections: compensated, compensating

Derived words: compensative (adjective), compensator (noun), compensatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Compensate

borrowed from Latin compensātus, past participle of compensāre "to balance, make good, counterbalance, make up for," from com- com- + pensāre "to weigh, weigh out, treat as a setoff (against a debt), exchange, counterbalance," iterative of pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" pendent

First known use: 1646t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Compensate

Frequently Asked Questions about Compensate

What does "Compensate" mean?

"Compensate" means to be equivalent to, counterbalance. As a verb, it is defined as: to be equivalent to, counterbalance. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Compensate"?

Other words for "Compensate" include indemnify, recompense, recoup, remunerate, requite, satisfy and pay. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compensate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compensate"?

There are 19 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compensate". Common alternatives include indemnify, recompense, recoup, remunerate, requite, satisfy and pay.

How do you use "Compensate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compensate" in a sentence: "you'll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree"; "compensate them well for their efforts".

Is "Compensate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Compensate" is a verb.

Is "Compensate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Compensate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Compensate"?

"Compensate" is pronounced /ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt/ and divided into syllables as com·pen·sate.

What is the origin of the word "Compensate"?

"Compensate" comes from borrowed from Latin compensātus, past participle of compensāre "to balance, make good, counterbalance, make up for," from com- com- + pensāre "to weigh, weigh out, treat as a setoff (against a debt), exchange, counterbalance," iterative of pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" pendent. First known use: 1646t.