as in to repay
to make a return payment to make sure you keep your receipts so we can reimburse you for your expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word reimburse distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reimburse are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When is compensate a more appropriate choice than reimburse?

Although the words compensate and reimburse have much in common, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When would indemnify be a good substitute for reimburse?

The synonyms indemnify and reimburse are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When might pay be a better fit than reimburse?

The meanings of pay and reimburse largely overlap; however, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When is it sensible to use recompense instead of reimburse?

While the synonyms recompense and reimburse are close in meaning, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When can remunerate be used instead of reimburse?

The words remunerate and reimburse can be used in similar contexts, but remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

When could repay be used to replace reimburse?

The words repay and reimburse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

Where would satisfy be a reasonable alternative to reimburse?

In some situations, the words satisfy and reimburse are roughly equivalent. However, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reimburse People who don’t itemize their tax returns can still benefit by using a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to reimburse themselves for medical expenses, Pon said. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 Despite security footage showing two other individuals taking the cash, the credit union is refusing to reimburse her. Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 27 Oct. 2024 But none of this was enough to carry her burden of showing that the defendant paid the $50,000 to reimburse her for her medical expenses. Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Under the contract, the Department of Defense would reimburse Boeing for spare parts. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reimburse 

Thesaurus Entries Near reimburse

Cite this Entry

“Reimburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reimburse. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on reimburse

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