recoup

[ri-koop]

verb (used with object)

1. to get back the equivalent of.

   to recoup one's losses by a lucky investment.

   Synonyms: balance, retrieve, restore, recover

2. to regain or recover.

3. to reimburse or indemnify; pay back.

   to recoup a person for expenses.

   Synonyms: remunerate, recompense

4. Law.,  to withhold (a portion of something due), having some rightful claim to do so.

verb (used without object)

1. to get back an equivalent, as of something lost.

2. Law.,  (of a defendant in a lawsuit) to plead that one is owed, in the same matter, an amount by the plaintiff which applies against the payment of one’s own debt to the plaintiff.

noun

1. an act of recouping.

recoup

/ rɪˈkuːp /

verb

1. to regain or make good (a financial or other loss)

2. (tr) to reimburse or compensate (someone), as for a loss

3. law to keep back (something due), having rightful claim to do so; withhold; deduct

Other Word Forms

• recoupable adjective
• recoupment noun
• nonrecoupable adjective
• unrecoupable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recoup¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French recouper “to cut back, cut again,” equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + couper “to cut”; coup ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of recoup¹

C15: from Old French recouper to cut back, from _re- + couper to cut, from coper to behead; see _coup ¹

Example Sentences

A consumer would recoup only around $3,000 if they sold the bracelet for the weight of the gold at today’s prices.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The sector has now recouped a large chunk of that underperformance over the past three months.

Read more on Barron's

The sector has now recouped a large chunk of that underperformance over the past three months.

Read more on Barron's

Small businesses in the area — which includes the historically vibrant, bustling open-air shopping corridor Santee Alley known for bargain prices — are looking for ways to recoup some of their losses through holiday sales.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the filing, First Foundation sought to force the sale of the lavish abode to recoup at least some of the money that its lawyers say the actor has failed to repay.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• compensate 
• get back 
• redeem 
• refund 
• regain 
• reimburse 
• repay 
• win back www.thesaurus.com