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

People may engage in some pro-social behaviour that — perhaps unconsciously — allows them to compensate for their use of a MyPillow pillow.

From Washington Post

In 2017, it eliminated the requirement for exonerees to win a gubernatorial pardon in order to get compensated, so long as they received a writ of innocence from a state prosecutor.

From Washington Post

The Terps outscored the Buckeyes 32-24 in the paint, which helped compensate for their poor shooting from deep.

From Washington Post

“I attend to my duties adequately and I’m compensated the same as other chiefs,” he said.

From ProPublica

The 22 percent hospitality charge feels right, not just because our server has taken very good care of us, but because the pandemic has revealed inequities in the way restaurant workers are compensated.

From Washington Post

So filmmakers usually resort to a plot device to compensate for this absence.

From The Daily Beast

This may turn out to be wrong; Republican victories in Iowa and/or Colorado could compensate for a loss here.

From The Daily Beast

The money would have gone to compensate the victims, pay for future health screenings, and in some cases relocate households.

From The Daily Beast

But is the performer taking her art form too seriously, trying to compensate for something else that may be lacking?

From The Daily Beast

To her credit, following the ensuing criticism Sandberg reversed policy and announced they would compensate interns.

From The Daily Beast

A great player can really sing on these with such a delightful effect as almost to compensate for the want of speech.

From Project Gutenberg

In a dress, no outlay upon the material will compensate for a badly fitting garment.

From Project Gutenberg

The way in which a watch is made to automatically compensate for temperature changes is interesting.

From Project Gutenberg

However luxurious the apartment of the Place Vendome might be, it could not compensate for the loss of these marvels.

From Project Gutenberg

Would the count surrender title to the damaged car to compensate for rail transportation?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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