reparation
Americannoun
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the making of amends for wrong or injury done.
In reparation for the injustice, the king made him head of the agricultural department.
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something done or given to make amends.
The prosecutor has requested a reparation of $32 million to victims of the crime.
- Synonyms:
- compensation, satisfaction, atonement, indemnification
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Usually reparations
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compensation in money, material, labor, etc., payable by a defeated country to another country or to an individual for loss suffered during or as a result of war.
The U.S. government eventually disbursed reparations to Japanese Americans who had been interned during World War II.
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monetary or other compensation payable by a country to an individual for a historical wrong.
The article is about reparations to Black people for the enslavement of their ancestors.
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restoration to good condition.
- Antonyms:
- destruction
noun
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the act or process of making amends
an injury admitting of no reparation
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(usually plural) compensation exacted as an indemnity from a defeated nation by the victors: esp the compensation demanded of Germany by the Treaty of Versailles after World War I
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the act or process of repairing or state of having been repaired
Related Words
See redress.
Discover More
After World War I, heavy reparation debts were imposed on Germany by Britain, France, and the other victorious nations. Resentment over these reparations aided the rise of Adolf Hitler.
Other Word Forms
- nonreparation noun
- reparative adjective
Etymology
Origin of reparation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English reparacion, from Middle French, from Late Latin reparātiōn- (stem of reparātiō ), equivalent to Latin reparāt(us) (past participle of reparāre “to repair” ( repair 1, -ate 1 ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion )
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.
He is now appealing the decision to reject his reparation claims, but with two brain tumours, heart disease, and prostate cancer, he worries he is running out of time.
From BBC
“You made your reparations,” Sarah R. replied, nodding to the arm he’d used to shield her.
From Literature
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She says it could increase the chance of progress on discussions about reparations, or some form of compensation.
From BBC
Iran has reportedly replied to a 15-point US plan and is awaiting a response, having made its own demands including war reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over Hormuz.
From Barron's
It also called for war reparations and Iran's "sovereignty" over the Strait of Hormuz be respected.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.