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

The losses forced the plan to assess its member carriers $1 billion to pay its claims, half of which could be recouped from the carriers’ own customers across the state.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The club has recouped some of that through a frenzy of player sales.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the economy typically recoups most of that lost activity after a shutdown ends, as it would after disruption caused by a natural disaster.

Read more on BBC

Hearts said it had since managed to recoup the money.

Read more on BBC

More than a third of the money clawed back related to fraudulent activity during the Covid-19 pandemic, with other cash being recouped from unlawful council tax claims and illegal subletting of social housing.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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