repay

[ri-pey]

verb (used with object)

repaid, repaying 

1. to pay back or refund, as money.

   Synonyms: indemnify, reimburse

2. to make return for.

   She repaid the compliment with a smile.

3. to make return to in any way.

   We can never repay you for your help.

   Synonyms: reward, requite

4. to return.

   to repay a visit.

verb (used without object)

repaid, repaying 

1. to make repayment or return.

repay

/ rɪˈpeɪ /

verb

1. to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse

2. to make a return for (something) by way of compensation

   to repay kindness

Other Word Forms

• repayable adjective
• repayment noun
• repayability noun
• nonrepayable adjective
• nonrepaying adjective
• unrepaid adjective
• unrepayable adjective
• well-repaid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repay¹

From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay ¹

Example Sentences

Bessent’s announcement didn’t detail any steps to ensure that dollars provided under the swap line would be repaid.

Read more on Barron's

Mr. Leguizamo’s Nelson is first seen pleading into a cellphone for more time to repay a debt.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

As of August, it said it had repaid $7.5 billion of debt.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Despite Baroness Mone not being a shareholder or director of the company, some politicians have called on her to repay the money personally.

Read more on BBC

A company linked to the Glaswegian entrepreneur has been ordered to repay £122m to the UK government for breaching an NHS contract.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• compensate 
• offset 
• pay back 
• refund 
• reimburse 
• restore 
• reward