compensate

com·pen·sate

verb \ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt, -ˌpen-\

com·pen·sat·edcom·pen·sat·ing

Definition of COMPENSATE

transitive verb

1

: to be equivalent to : counterbalance

2

: to make an appropriate and usually counterbalancing payment to <compensate the victims for their loss>

3

a : to provide with means of counteracting variation b : to neutralize the effect of (variations)

intransitive verb

1

: to supply an equivalent —used with for

2

: to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect <his enthusiasm compensates for his lack of skill>

3

: to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological compensation

— com·pen·sa·tive \ˈkäm-pən-ˌsā-tiv, -ˌpen-; kəm-ˈpen(t)-sə-\ adjective

— com·pen·sa·tor \ˈkäm-pən-ˌsā-tər, -ˌpen-\ noun

— com·pen·sa·to·ry \kəm-ˈpen(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

Examples of COMPENSATE

1. His enthusiasm compensates for his lack of skill.
2. The price of the item has been reduced to compensate for a defect.
3. compensate workers for their labor
4. She was not compensated for the damage done to her car.

Origin of COMPENSATE

Latin compensatus, past participle of compensare, frequentative of compendere

First Known Use: 1646

Related to COMPENSATE

Synonyms: indemnify, recompense, recoup, remunerate, requite, satisfy

Related Words: refund, reimburse, repay; redress, remedy, repair; discharge, pay, quit

Near Antonyms: stiff

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at pay

Rhymes with COMPENSATE

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