compensate

[kom-puhn-seyt]

verb (used with object)

compensated, compensating 

1. to recompense for something.

   They gave him ten dollars to compensate him for his trouble.

   Synonyms: pay, reward, remunerate

2. to counterbalance; offset; be equivalent to.

   He compensated his homely appearance with great personal charm.

   Synonyms: countervail, counterpoise

3. Mechanics.,  to counterbalance (a force or the like); adjust or construct so as to offset or counterbalance variations or produce equilibrium.

4. to change the gold content of (a monetary unit) to counterbalance price fluctuations and thereby stabilize its purchasing power.

verb (used without object)

compensated, compensating 

1. to provide or be an equivalent; make up; make amends (usually followed byfor ).

   His occasional courtesies did not compensate for his general rudeness.

   Synonyms: atone

2. Psychology.,  to develop or employ mechanisms of compensation.

compensate

/ kəmˈpɛnsətərɪ, -trɪ, ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪt, ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪtɪv, kəmˈpɛnsə-, ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪtərɪ /

verb

1. to make amends to (someone), esp for loss or injury

2. (tr) to serve as compensation or damages for (injury, loss, etc)

3. to offset or counterbalance the effects of (a force, weight, movement, etc) so as to nullify the effects of an undesirable influence and produce equilibrium

4. (intr) to attempt to conceal or offset one's shortcomings by the exaggerated exhibition of qualities regarded as desirable

Other Word Forms

• compensatingly adverb
• compensator noun
• noncompensated adjective
• noncompensating adjective
• precompensate verb (used with object)
• recompensate verb (used with object)
• subcompensate verb (used with object)
• uncompensated adjective
• uncompensating adjective
• well-compensated adjective
• compensatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compensate¹

First recorded in 1640–50, compensate is from the Latin word compēnsātus (past participle of compēnsāre to counterbalance, originally, to weigh together). See com-, pensive, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of compensate¹

C17: from Latin compēnsāre, from pensāre, from pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

It didn’t help that Zaslav has long been one of the most handsomely compensated executives in America.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“No law firm is going to be able to compensate a long‑term renter like me,” read another.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They will also be compensated when songs are used by subscribers to create new works.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The government has launched a scheme to compensate former sub-postmasters and their families who were made to repay shortfalls caused by the Capture branch IT system.

Read more on BBC

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in August the mining company had taken responsibility for the spill and was working with the Zambian government to compensate victims.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• atone 
• pay 
• recoup 
• refund 
• reimburse 
• repay 
• reward 
• satisfy 
• take care of