compensate

/ˌkɑmpənˈseɪt/

/ˈkɒmpɪnseɪt/

Other forms: compensated; compensating; compensates

Compensate is about correcting for an imbalance. If you step in an unmarked pothole, the city may compensate you by paying your doctor bills treating a broken ankle.

Compensate can also mean "to adjust for." So, if you did stumble into the pothole and injure your left leg, then you might compensate by leaning heavily on your right leg. Increasingly, compensate is used in place of pay. Day laborers are paid for their time, but executives are more likely to be compensated with a suite that includes salary and other benefits––what is commonly referred to as a compensation package.

Definitions of compensate

1. verb

   make amends for; pay compensation for
   “She was compensated for the loss of her arm in the accident”

   synonyms: indemnify, recompense, repair

   types:

   give

   deliver in exchange or recompense

   type of:

   pay

   give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
2. verb

   make reparations or amends for
   synonyms: correct, redress, right

   types:

   over-correct, overcompensate

   make excessive corrections for fear of making an error

   aby, abye, atone, expiate

   make amends for

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
3. verb

   make payment to; compensate
   synonyms: recompense, remunerate

   types:

   recoup, reimburse

   reimburse or compensate (someone), as for a loss

   type of:

   pay

   give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
4. verb

   do or give something to somebody in return
   synonyms: make up, pay, pay off

   type of:

   settle

   dispose of; make a financial settlement
5. verb

   adjust for
   synonyms: correct, counterbalance, even off, even out, even up, make up

   types:

   carry

   compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance

   cover, overcompensate

   make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

   type of:

   balance, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize

   bring into balance or equilibrium
6. verb

   make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities
   “he is compensating for being a bad father”

   synonyms: cover, overcompensate

   cover, insure, underwrite

   protect by insurance

   type of:

   correct, counterbalance, even off, even out, even up, make up

   adjust for