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
The bank is also used to pay Russian soldiers and compensate families of soldiers killed in the line of duty, the department said.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
These more sedentary individuals need to compensate for their lifestyle by engaging in even more physical activity compared with those who move around more at work.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
No matter how well-made, a car can’t compensate for an irresponsible person in the driver’s seat.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
Under the new rules, buyers compensate their brokers, meaning buyer agents can't count on a share of seller proceeds.
—Ryan Lawler, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compensate 
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Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
These more sedentary individuals need to compensate for their lifestyle by engaging in even more physical activity compared with those who move around more at work.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
No matter how well-made, a car can’t compensate for an irresponsible person in the driver’s seat.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
Under the new rules, buyers compensate their brokers, meaning buyer agents can't count on a share of seller proceeds.
—Ryan Lawler, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compensate
Dictionary Entries Near compensate
Cite this Entry
“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensate. Accessed 30 Nov. 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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