Synonyms

repay

American

[ri-pey] / rɪˈpeɪ /

verb (used with object)

to pay back or refund, as money.

Synonyms:

indemnify, reimburse
to make return for.

She repaid the compliment with a smile.
to make return to in any way.

We can never repay you for your help.

Synonyms:

reward, requite
to return.

to repay a visit.

verb (used without object)

to make repayment or return.

repay British

/ rɪˈpeɪ /

verb

to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse
to make a return for (something) by way of compensation

to repay kindness

"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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Conjugated Forms

Present

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Etymology

Origin of repay

From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay ¹

Explanation

When you give someone money that you owe them, you repay them. A bank may loan you money to buy a new car, but you'll have to repay the money, plus interest. You might repay a bank loan, or repay your brother the dollar you borrowed last week. You can also repay things other than money: "How will I ever repay your kindness and support?" Repay comes from the French repaier, with its "back" prefix re- and payer, "to pay."

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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.

It apologised to those affected, saying it had introduced Visual Disruption Maps - videos to help passengers navigate service changes - and was raising awareness of the Delay Repay scheme to simplify compensation.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

The ball now is in the court of commissioners Mike Repay, Kyle Allen and Jerry Tippy.

From Washington Times • Apr. 18, 2017

Would-Be Liu Donor Testifies That Defendant Said She Would Repay They had once dated, had attended high school and Rutgers together, and had remained friends.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2013

People are starting to wonder whether they can really help Related Links: Can Goldman Repay that U.S.

From BusinessWeek • Jan. 6, 2011

“You’re welcome. Repay me by pulling yourself together.”

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023