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

He learned to compensate, installing bright lights around the house.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Managements will undoubtedly shift their focus away from quarter-based outcomes if they are compensated on long-term value creation.

Read more on Barron's

Warner said the "first-of-its-kind partnership" will open "new frontiers" in music creation while ensuring the creative community is compensated.

Read more on BBC

Warner Music Group on Tuesday announced a partnership with AI business Suno that will compensate music artists and songwriters, ending a legal battle between the two companies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Having said that, the complexity and cost of compensating perhaps millions of people for nonfinancial damages from a breach are enormous.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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