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Synonyms

compensation

American  
[kom-puhn-sey-shuhn] / ˌkɒm pənˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act or state of compensating, as by rewarding someone for service or by making up for someone's loss, damage, or injury by giving the injured party an appropriate benefit.

  2. the state of being compensated or rewarded in this way.

  3. something given or received as an equivalent for services, debt, loss, injury, suffering, lack, etc.; indemnity.

    The insurance company paid him $2000 as compensation for the loss of his car.

    Synonyms:
    indemnification, satisfaction, requital, reparation, amends, payment, recompense
  4. Biology. the improvement of any defect by the excessive development or action of another structure or organ of the same structure.

  5. Psychology. a mechanism by which an individual attempts to make up for some real or imagined deficiency of personality or behavior by developing or stressing another aspect of the personality or by substituting a different form of behavior.


compensation British  
/ ˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of making amends for something

  2. something given as reparation for loss, injury, etc; indemnity

  3. the automatic movements made by the body to maintain balance

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

  5. biology abnormal growth and increase in size in one organ in response to the removal or inactivation of another

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • compensational adjective
  • noncompensation noun
  • precompensation noun
  • procompensation adjective
  • subcompensation noun
  • subcompensational adjective

Etymology

Origin of compensation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English compensacioun, from Latin compēnsātiōn-, stem of compēnsātiō “a balancing”; equivalent to compensate + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The authorities have demolished homes in Makoko in the past - most recently in 2017, when residents obtained a court order to prevent forced evictions without adequate notice, compensation and resettlement.

From BBC

That fight has also put a spotlight on Niccol's remote working arrangements, private jet use and compensation.

From BBC

After that, the unresolved matters are the company’s right to compensation and the amounts Panama might owe.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is understood Sunderland will seek compensation if an agreement can be reached.

From BBC

Fifa subsequently introduced an interim framework based on the calculation of compensation payable and burden of proof if there is a breach of contract.

From BBC