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.
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 mesmerizing and visually appealing frames in the film are unable to compensate.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Each review is voluntary and passengers are not compensated for their opinions.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
Thumping music bled into nearby rooms, lighting rigs and speakers were affixed to silky surfaces like black steel warts, and a massive chandelier was hung to compensate for the wan ceiling lights.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 2025
The Colorado Hospital Association estimated the state could lose about $10 billion over 10 years, leaving less money available to compensate facilities that treat larger numbers of poor patients.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compensate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Each review is voluntary and passengers are not compensated for their opinions.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
Thumping music bled into nearby rooms, lighting rigs and speakers were affixed to silky surfaces like black steel warts, and a massive chandelier was hung to compensate for the wan ceiling lights.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 2025
The Colorado Hospital Association estimated the state could lose about $10 billion over 10 years, leaving less money available to compensate facilities that treat larger numbers of poor patients.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compensate
Cite this Entry
“Compensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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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