recompense

[rek-uhm-pens]

verb (used with object)

recompensed, recompensing 

1. to repay; remunerate; reward, as for service, aid, etc.

   Synonyms: recoup, reimburse

2. to pay or give compensation for; make restitution or requital for (damage, injury, or the like).

verb (used without object)

recompensed, recompensing 

1. to make compensation for something; repay someone.

   no attempt to recompense for our trouble.

noun

1. compensation, as for an injury, wrong, etc..

   to make recompense for the loss one's carelessness has caused.

   Synonyms: satisfaction, indemnification, amends, payment

2. a repayment or requital, as for favors, gifts, etc.

3. a remuneration or reward, as for services, aid, or the like.

recompense

/ ˈrɛkəmˌpɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to pay or reward for service, work, etc

2. (tr) to compensate for loss, injury, etc

noun

1. compensation for loss, injury, etc

   to make recompense

2. reward, remuneration, or repayment

Other Word Forms

• recompenser noun
• recompensable adjective
• underrecompense verb (used with object)
• unrecompensable adjective
• unrecompensed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recompense¹

1375–1425; (v.) late Middle English < Middle French recompenser < Late Latin recompēnsāre, equivalent to Latin re- re- + compēnsāre ( compensate ); (noun) late Middle English < Middle French, derivative of recompenser

Word History and Origins

Origin of recompense¹

C15: from Old French recompenser , from Latin _re- + compensāre to balance in weighing; see _compensate

Synonym Study

See reward.

Example Sentences

Having a visible tan in Victorian times was a clear sign you were poor working class and probably spent most of your time hawking barrels of hay for very little recompense.

From BBC

"That settlement for Zach allowed him the opportunity to have some kind of recompense but more importantly, to be able to make some memories," said Anna-Louise.

From BBC

His children, Tala and Adnan El Sabbagh, “feel they were robbed of things they treasured and worked hard for with no apparent recompense in sight.”

From Los Angeles Times

He said Reform UK won 4.1 million votes at last year's general election "with a ramshackle operation and an army of volunteers who worked their socks off for no recompense whatsoever".

From BBC

It’s proper to note here that no one has ever proposed diverting Social Security revenues for any other purpose without recompense — except Republicans such as Lee.

From Los Angeles Times