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

The authors stress the importance of protecting and maintaining natural carbon sinks while accepting that doing so cannot compensate for ongoing fossil fuel use.

From Science Daily

Plus, coming into “Dune: Prophecy” as a stone-cold uninitiate is a challenge for which the script compensates using a combination of summary via narration and a brief, expository title card.

From Salon

Québec will have to compensate people detained illegally.

From Salon

Over the years, tipping practices have evolved alongside changes in labor laws and consumer expectations, but questions about its fairness and the role of employers in compensating workers remain central to the ongoing conversation.

From Salon

And, he suggested, a pardon would not be enough to compensate him and others for the time they spent behind bars.

From BBC

Related Words

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