compensate
verb
com·pen·sate
ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt 
-ˌpen-
compensated; compensating
1
: to be equivalent to : counterbalance
Her virtues compensate her faults.
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
compensate a magnetic needle
b
: to neutralize the effect of (variations)
1
: to supply an equivalent
—used with for
… compensate for his feelings of loneliness by assertions of superiority.—
W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden2
: 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
His aggression was an attempt to compensate for inherent passivity.
Synonyms
Examples of compensate in a Sentence
His enthusiasm compensates for his lack of skill.
The price of the item has been reduced to compensate for a defect.
compensate workers for their labor
She was not compensated for the damage done to her car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Todd moved his Living Word Imprints company from the plaza to a newer building across Silver Lane last year, and has said the town didn’t make good on promises to fairly compensate him.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2024
Per rules from the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines must compensate passengers 200% of the one-way ticket cost for a flight delayed up to two hours, and 400% for a flight delayed more than that—a sum that can amount to up to $1,550.
—Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 July 2024
The Dodgers could still use another frontline pitcher to compensate for the loss of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was on an All-Star trajectory before suffering a strained rotator cuff in his shoulder last month.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2024
Holmes sought over $12 million in damages, alleging that he was not compensated for his contributions to the band’s success.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for compensate 
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2024
Per rules from the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines must compensate passengers 200% of the one-way ticket cost for a flight delayed up to two hours, and 400% for a flight delayed more than that—a sum that can amount to up to $1,550.
—Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 July 2024
The Dodgers could still use another frontline pitcher to compensate for the loss of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was on an All-Star trajectory before suffering a strained rotator cuff in his shoulder last month.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2024
Holmes sought over $12 million in damages, alleging that he was not compensated for his contributions to the band’s success.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for compensate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compensate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near compensate
Cite this Entry
“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compensate
verb
com·pen·sate
ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt
compensated; compensating
1
: to be equal to in value or effect : counterbalance
2
: to make up for
effort that compensates for lack of skill
3
: to make equal return to : pay
compensate workers for their labor
Medical Definition
compensate
verb
com·pen·sate
ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt, -ˌpen-
compensated; compensating
: to subject to or remedy by physiological compensation
compensated hypertensive patients
: to undergo, experience, or engage in psychological or physiological compensation
his aggression was an attempt to compensate for inherent passivity
Legal Definition
compensate
transitive verb
com·pen·sate
ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt, -ˌpen-
compensated; compensating
: to make an appropriate and usually counterbalancing payment to
compensate the victims for their injuries
adequately compensated for her work
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