recoup

[ri-koop]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR recoup ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to get back the equivalent of: to recoup one's losses by a lucky investment.

to regain or recover.

to reimburse or indemnify; pay back: to recoup a person for expenses.

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

verb (used without object)

to get back an equivalent, as of something lost.

Law. to plead in defense a claim arising out of the same subject matter as the plaintiff's claim.

noun

an act of recouping.

Origin of recoup

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French recouper to cut back, cut again, equivalent to re- re- + couper to cut; see coup¹

Related formsre·coup·a·ble, adjectivere·coup·ment, nounnon·re·coup·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·coup·a·ble, adjective

Synonyms for recoup

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR recoup ON THESAURUS.COM

1. recover, restore, retrieve, balance. 3. recompense, remunerate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for recoup

refund, regain, reimburse, redeem, repay, compensate, satisfy, repossess, retrieve, requite, remunerate

Examples from the Web for recoup

Contemporary Examples of recoup

Kim is not thought to be broke just yet, but he will be soon, as movie studios seek to recoup $100m in copyright fees.
The Zillionaires Who Lost Everything
Tom Sykes
October 26, 2014
They might front the money if they believe in a new model and think she will be able to recoup the costs.
Many Models Get Paid in Clothes, Not Cash, but That Might Be Changing
Misty White Sidell
March 11, 2013
“In the most extreme cases, the abusive party is able to recoup irrespective of the cost,” he says.
Domestic Violence Among the Wealthy Hides Behind ‘Veil of Silence’
Eliza Shapiro
February 28, 2013
According to the Washington Post, the government was looking to recoup $385 million of Katrina, Rita, and Wilma aid money.
From Katrina To Sandy, FEMA Rumors and Failures Keep Swirling
Michael Moynihan
November 9, 2012
Surely then we can safely raise their taxes, and count on them to work harder to recoup their losses?
Answering a Murray Defender
David Frum
February 8, 2012

Historical Examples of recoup

This will recoup him for his outlay, because the working capital has not been touched.
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr
Dead broke, he was ready for anything which promised to recoup his fortunes.
The Mask
Arthur Hornblow
The best thing is for me to give our lads a rest to recoup a bit.
Hunting the Skipper
George Manville Fenn
How they are able to do this, and to recoup themselves, can be imagined.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston
You will find there is far more than enough to recoup the firm.
The Mystery of Lincoln's Inn
Robert Machray

British Dictionary definitions for recoup

recoup

verb

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

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

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

Derived Formsrecoupable, adjectiverecoupment, noun

Word Origin for recoup

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

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

Word Origin and History for recoup

1620s, from French recouper "to cut back" (12c.), from Old French re- "back" (see re-) + couper "to cut," from coup "a blow" (see coup). Originally a legal term meaning "to deduct;" sense of "to recompense for loss or expense" first recorded 1660s. Related: Recouped; recouping.