Compensation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən/ com·pen·sa·tion

Meaning & Definition of Compensation

Compensation (noun)

  1. the act of compensating, the state of being compensated
  2. correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ
  3. a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another

Compensation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. payment to another for a loss or injury

    "a warehouse worker who received a large compensation for his crippling injury while on the job"

    similar: damages, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress, remuneration, reparation, reprisal(s), requital, restitution, satisfaction
    related: punitive damages, solatium, amends, atonement, expiation, refund, reimbursement, repayment, adjustment, settlement, punishment, retaliation

  2. something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services

    "fair compensation for his work on the project"

    similar: consideration, pay, payment, recompense, remittance, remuneration, requital
    related: salary, stipend, wage(s), disbursement, expenditure, outlay, rebate, refund, indemnity, recoupment, redress, reparation, restitution, adjustment, settlement, deposit, reimbursement, repayment, prepayment, overpayment, rent, rental

  3. the act of offering money in exchange for goods or services

    "his generous compensation was greatly appreciated"

    similar: disbursement, giving, paying, payment, remitment, remittance, remuneration
    related: rendering, tendering, reimbursement, repayment, paying off, paying up, prepayment, overpayment
    opposite: nonpayment
    near: underpayment

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compensation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compensation:

damages, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress, remuneration, reparation, reprisal(s), requital, restitution, satisfaction, consideration, pay, payment, remittance, disbursement, giving, paying, remitment

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Compensation

Words with the opposite meaning of Compensation:

nonpayment

Related Words for Compensation

punitive damages, solatium, amends, atonement, expiation, refund, reimbursement, repayment, adjustment, settlement, punishment, retaliation, salary, stipend, wage(s), expenditure, outlay, rebate, deposit, prepayment, overpayment, rent, rental, rendering, tendering, paying off, paying up

Near Antonyms of Compensation

underpayment

Word Forms of Compensation

Derived words: compensational (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Compensation

Middle English compensacioun, borrowed from Latin compensātiōn-, compensātiō "weighing, balancing, balancing of items in an account," from compensāre "to balance, make good, compensate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Compensation

Words & Phrases Containing Compensation

unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, workmen's compensation insurance, seek compensation

Frequently Asked Questions about Compensation

What does "Compensation" mean?

"Compensation" means the act of compensating, the state of being compensated. As a noun, it is defined as: the act of compensating, the state of being compensated. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Compensation"?

Other words for "Compensation" include damages, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress and remuneration. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compensation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compensation"?

There are 48 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compensation". Common alternatives include damages, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress, remuneration, reparation and reprisal(s).

What is the opposite of "Compensation"?

Antonyms of "Compensation" include nonpayment. Near antonyms include underpayment.

How do you use "Compensation" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compensation" in a sentence: "a warehouse worker who received a large compensation for his crippling injury while on the job"; "fair compensation for his work on the project"; "his generous compensation was greatly appreciated".

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

"Compensation" is a noun.

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

As a C1-level word, "Compensation" 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+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Compensation"?

"Compensation" is pronounced /ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən/ and divided into syllables as com·pen·sa·tion.