compensate

[ kom-puhn-seyt ]

verb (used with object)

, com·pen·sat·ed, com·pen·sat·ing.

1. to recompense for something:

   They gave him ten dollars to compensate him for his trouble.

   Synonyms: pay, reward, remunerate

2. to counterbalance; offset; be equivalent to:

   He compensated his homely appearance with great personal charm.

   Synonyms: countervail, counterpoise

3. Mechanics. to counterbalance (a force or the like); adjust or construct so as to offset or counterbalance variations or produce equilibrium.
4. to change the gold content of (a monetary unit) to counterbalance price fluctuations and thereby stabilize its purchasing power.

verb (used without object)

, com·pen·sat·ed, com·pen·sat·ing.

1. to provide or be an equivalent; make up; make amends (usually followed by for ):

   His occasional courtesies did not compensate for his general rudeness.

   Synonyms: atone

2. Psychology. to develop or employ mechanisms of compensation.

compensate

/ kəmˈpɛnsətərɪ; -trɪ; ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪt; ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪtɪv; kəmˈpɛnsə-; ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪtərɪ /

verb

1. to make amends to (someone), esp for loss or injury
2. tr to serve as compensation or damages for (injury, loss, etc)
3. to offset or counterbalance the effects of (a force, weight, movement, etc) so as to nullify the effects of an undesirable influence and produce equilibrium
4. intr to attempt to conceal or offset one's shortcomings by the exaggerated exhibition of qualities regarded as desirable

Derived Forms

• compensatory, adjective
• ˈcompenˌsator, noun

Other Words From

• compen·sating·ly adverb
• compen·sator noun
• non·compen·sated adjective
• non·compen·sating adjective
• pre·compen·sate verb (used with object) precompensated precompensating
• re·compen·sate verb (used with object) recompensated recompensating
• sub·compen·sate verb (used with object) subcompensated subcompensating
• un·compen·sated adjective
• un·compen·sating adjective
• well-compen·sated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compensate¹

First recorded in 1640–50, compensate is from the Latin word compēnsātus (past participle of compēnsāre to counterbalance, originally, to weigh together). See com-, pensive, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of compensate¹

C17: from Latin compēnsāre, from pensāre, from pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

While it's possible that an exporter in a foreign country compensates the importer for these taxes — such as via rebates or lower prices — there's no requirement to do so.

From Salon

Residential properties exposed to flood risk are overwhelmingly overvalued, especially in coastal areas, the researchers warn, as property price discounts do not compensate for the additional insurance costs payable.

From Science Daily

Their labor is for the most part barely compensated, at rates far below minimum wage.

From Los Angeles Times

"I just want to see them compensating everyone without a fight. We already had a fight in the States," she says.

From BBC

This is effectively an anti-dilution fund, to compensate the other 10 teams for the loss of prize money they would incur if the money had to be distributed 11 ways rather than 10.

From BBC

Related Words

• atone
• pay
• recoup
• refund
• reimburse
• repay
• reward
• satisfy
• take care of