compensate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb adjust for
    even off; make up; counterbalance; even out; even up; correct.
    • engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance
  2. verb make amends for; pay compensation for
    repair; indemnify; recompense.
    • One can never fully repair the suffering and losses of the Jews in the Third Reich
    • She was compensated for the loss of her arm in the accident
  3. verb make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities
    overcompensate; cover.
    • he is compensating for being a bad father
  4. verb make reparations or amends for
    right; redress; correct.
    • right a wrongs done to the victims of the Holocaust
  5. verb do or give something to somebody in return
    pay; make up; pay off.
    • Does she pay you for the work you are doing?
  6. verb make payment to; compensate
    recompense; remunerate.
    • My efforts were not remunerated

WordNet

Com"pen*sate transitive verb
Etymology
L. compensatus, p. p. of compensare, prop., to weigh several things with one another, to balance with one another, verb intens. fr. compendere. See Compendum.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Compensated; present participle & verbal noun Compensating
Definitions
  1. To make equal return to; to remunerate; to recompence; to give an equivalent to; to requite suitably; as, to compensate a laborer for his work, or a merchant for his losses.
  2. To be equivalent in value or effect to; to counterbalance; to make up for; to make amends for.
    The length of the night and the dews thereof do compensate the heat of the day. Bacon.
    The pleasures of life do not compensate the miseries. Prior.
    Syn. -- To recompense; remunerate; indemnify; reward; requite; counterbalance.
Com"pen*sate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make amends; to supply an equivalent; -- followed by for; as, nothing can compensate for the loss of reputation.

Webster 1913