Word
recompense
Phoneticsrec·om·pense, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɛkəmˌpɛns/
UK/ɹˈɛkəmpˌɛns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. money or something good you give someone to pay them back for help, loss, or work.
n. compensation or repayment given for a loss suffered, a service rendered, or an injury sustained. Often implies a fitting or morally owed return rather than a routine wage.
Examples
“They offer money as recompense for the broken window.”
“The airline gives passengers vouchers as recompense for the cancelled flight and long delay.”
“After years of unpaid overtime, the promotion felt less like advancement than belated recompense for sacrifices the company had long taken for granted.”
Examples
simple
“They offer money as recompense for the broken window.”
contextual
“The airline gives passengers vouchers as recompense for the cancelled flight and long delay.”
complex
“After years of unpaid overtime, the promotion felt less like advancement than belated recompense for sacrifices the company had long taken for granted.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “recompense” in context.
Verb
01. ask for recompense
“She was too embarrassed to ask for recompense for her help.”
verb + prep + noun
02. award recompense
“The court awarded recompense to the injured workers.”
verb + noun
03. demand recompense
“The union demanded recompense for unpaid weekend work.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. adequate recompense
“Victims should receive adequate recompense for their financial losses.”
adj + noun
05. fair recompense
“The workers demanded fair recompense for their overtime hours.”
adj + noun
06. financial recompense
“He accepted financial recompense instead of taking legal action.”
adj + noun
07. full recompense
“She claimed full recompense for the damage to her property.”
adj + noun
08. generous recompense
“The company offered generous recompense for the cancelled project.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. claim for recompense
“He filed a claim for recompense after his luggage was lost.”
noun + prep + noun
10. form of recompense
“They accepted free tickets as a form of recompense.”
noun + prep + noun
11. ask for adequate recompense
“Do not hesitate to ask for adequate recompense for your time.”
12. demand fair recompense for work
“The contractors demanded fair recompense for work completed on time.”
Usage
Often appears in the phrases 'as recompense for' and 'in recompense for'.
Etymology
From Middle English recompense, borrowed from Old French recompense or Medieval Latin recompensa.
From Middle English recompensen, borrowed from Old French recompenser, from Late Latin recompensare, from Latin re- (“again”) + compensare (“to balance out”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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