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View synonyms for indemnify

indemnify

[ in-dem-nuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, in·dem·ni·fied, in·dem·ni·fy·ing.
  1. to compensate for damage or loss sustained, expense incurred, etc.

    Synonyms: repay, reimburse, recompense

  2. to guard or secure against anticipated loss; give security against (future damage or liability).


indemnify

/ ɪnˈdɛmnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

  1. to secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for; insure
  2. to compensate for loss, injury, expense, etc; reimburse
“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


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Derived Forms

  • inˈdemniˌfier, noun
  • inˌdemnifiˈcation, noun
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Other Words From

  • in·demni·fier noun
  • prein·demni·fy verb (used with object) preindemnified preindemnifying
  • unin·demni·fied adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of indemnify1

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin indemni(s) “without loss” ( indemnity ) + -fy
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Example Sentences

In Europe, various governments have indemnified the companies against any legal costs.

From Fortune

So Congress passed a law indemnifying drug companies and health care providers from vaccine-related liabilities.

From Fortune

By stubborn effort and the most rigid economy, Birotteau was able to indemnify his creditors completely, three years later .

If you can induce them to take a step to the right hand, they generally indemnify themselves by cutting a caper to the left.

The cabinet felt assured that parliament would indemnify and England approve.

It was, moreover, necessary that the happiness of domestic life should indemnify me for the splendid career I had just renounced.

It was necessary to indemnify those who had cleared uncultivated grounds or made improvements.

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More About Indemnify

What does indemnify mean?

To indemnify is to insure someone against potential damages or loss or to compensate someone for damages or money spent.

Insurance coverage indemnifies a person by insuring them for certain potential situations, such as damages to their property from natural disasters or accidents. Indemnify is commonly used in legal contracts to secure protection against being sued or held responsible for an accident. The noun form of indemnify is indemnity, which refers to such protection and is often used in phrases like indemnity clause.

Example: The whole purpose of car insurance is to indemnify you in case you get into an accident—buying insurance after an accident happens won’t cover you.

Where does indemnify come from?

The first records of indemnify come from the 1600s. It comes from the Latin indemni(s), meaning “without loss.” This is formed from the prefix in-, which has a negating effect equivalent to un-, and demn-, from damnum, meaning “loss.”

Indemnify is most commonly used in the context of insurance and legal contracts. Insurance coverage indemnifies the policy holder, meaning it protects against financial liability for damages or loss. Damages refers to those that happen to a piece of property like a car or house, or to injuries suffered by a person. Loss refers to things like the loss of income one might experience because they can’t work. If a person is indemnified for these things, they get compensated for (at least part of) the money lost or spent.

In corporate law, an indemnity agreement can indemnify a company’s executives against personally being sued if the company is sued.

Indemnify is sometimes used in a metaphorical way to mean “to protect,” as in Your wealth will not indemnify you from disease.

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What are some other forms related to indemnify?

  • indemnity (noun)
  • indemnification (noun)
  • indemnifier (noun)
  • preindemnify (verb)
  • indemnified (past tense verb, adjective)
  • unindemnified (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with indemnify

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing indemnify?

 

How is indemnify used in real life?

Indemnify is most commonly used in a technical way in the context of insurance and legal contracts, but it is sometimes used in a metaphorical way.

 

 

Try using indemnify!

Is indemnify used correctly in the following sentence? 

This coverage indemnifies you in the event of flooding.

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indemnificationindemnitee