You must compensate him for the money he lost.
Source: tatoeba (15828)
Compensate
/ˈkɒm.pən.seɪt/
Synonyms for "compensate" (225 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (45)
Verb(21 words)
recompenseremuneratecounterbalanceindemnifymake upoffsetpayredressreimburseacclimateaccommodateaccordaccustomadaptamendappeaseatoneatonedatonesbalance
Show 1 more word
Strong matches (68)
Verb(19 words)
compensecorrectcorrectscounteractcounterbalancedcoverdispenseequateeven offeven outeven upexpiateexpiatedexpiatesexpiatingharmonizeindemnifieslevelmake good
cooperatecoordinatecorrectcounteractcounterbalancecounterchangecounterpoisecountervailcoverdo penanceemendequalizeequateeveneven upexchangeexpiatefeefill upfit
Show 27 more words
fix upget back atget even withget satisfactiongive and takegive satisfactiongratifyguerdonimproveindemnifyintegrateinterchangeinvalidatelevellive downlogrollmakemake all squaremake amendsmake compensationmake goodmake matters upmake reparationmake requitalmake restitutionmake retributionmake right
Noun(2 words)
Related words (112)
make upmake up fornegatenegativeneutralizenullifyoffsetoutweighpaypay backpay by installmentspay damagespay offpay onpay reparationspay the forfeitpay the penaltypermutepoiseprepay
Show 44 more words
propitiateproportionput rightput straightput to rightsquitreciprocaterecompenserecouprecoverrectifyredeemredressrefundreimburseremedyremitremuneraterenderrepairrepayrequiterespondretaliatereturnreturn the complimentrewardrightsalarysatisfyset offset rightset straightset to rightsset upsquaresquare itsquare thingsstrike a balanceswapswitchtendertradetranspose
Noun(16 words)
Verb(31 words)
outbalancesovercompensatepaidpay offpayedpaysrecompensedreconcilerecoup costsrecoupedrecover lossesrectifyredeemredeemsredressedreimbursedreimbursesreimbursingremediedremedy
Show 11 more words
remuneratedremuneratesrepairrepaysrequiteresolverestituterestitute and restitutionrestorerightsquare
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: recompense, remunerate, counterbalance, indemnify, make up.
- Sentence evidence is available for compensate, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "compensate".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "compensate"
Keep "compensate" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "compensate" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "compensate", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "compensate" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
21 entriesadjustmentalterbalancebalancing actchangecorrectcorrectioncounterbalanceequilibrateequilibriseequilibrizeeven offeven outeven upmake upmodify
Showing 16 of 21 words.
More specific
8 entriesCollocations
6 entriescompensation packagecost of living adjustmentmonetary compensationovertime payreimbursementsalary increase
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriessimilar
3 entriesSample sentences
17 total sentences available.
Money cannot compensate for life.
Source: tatoeba (18620)
Diligence may compensate for lack of experience.
Source: tatoeba (18852)
Who will compensate for the loss?
Source: tatoeba (40445)
Showing 4 of 17 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "compensate"?
Closest matches include recompense, remunerate, counterbalance, indemnify, make up.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "compensate"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.