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

• compensatory adjective
• compensator noun
• compensatingly adverb
• 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

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

While many are moving towards two-week autumn half-terms, most of these are shortening the summer holiday by a week to compensate.

Read more on BBC

“Our settlements balance our obligation to compensate victims and treat their experiences with compassion with the need to put strong protections in place to protect taxpayers from fraud,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Spotify said it would make sure artists, songwriters and rights holders were "properly compensated for uses of their work and transparently credited for their contributions".

Read more on BBC

If the driver chooses not to wear the vest, his car must carry 500 grams of ballast to compensate for the weight of the system so he does not gain a competitive advantage.

Read more on BBC

She added that the Angels must also compensate the family for “loss of companionship, solace, moral support and financial security.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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