Recompense vs. Compensate — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 3, 2024
Recompense generally refers to making amends for loss or harm through payment or other gestures, while compensate often entails offsetting or making up for a deficiency or loss.
Difference Between Recompense and Compensate
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Key Differences
Recompense is often used in contexts where a moral or ethical restitution is implied, such as repaying someone for a loss or damage they suffered. Whereas, compensate typically relates to financial or equivalent returns for work done or for an incurred loss.
Recompense can carry a connotation of justice or fairness in rectifying a wrong, which might not necessarily involve a direct monetary transaction. On the other hand, compensate usually involves precise equivalence, especially in financial terms, like salary or expenses.
In legal contexts, recompense may be used to describe the outcome of a lawsuit where the plaintiff is restored to their prior status through various means. Conversely, compensate often refers to ongoing payments, such as those seen in workers' compensation.
The verb form of recompense is less commonly used compared to its noun form (as in receiving recompense). Whereas, compensate is frequently used in both verb and noun forms (compensation).
Recompense sometimes has a personal or emotional component, suggesting a form of healing or closure. Compensate, however, is more transactional and often devoid of emotional implications, focusing solely on the economic aspects of exchange.
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Comparison Chart
Usage Context
Ethical or moral restitution
Financial remuneration or equivalent
Connotation
Justice, fairness
Precise equivalence, transactional
Common Forms
More common as a noun
Common in both verb and noun forms
Legal Implication
Often involves restoring to previous status
Involves ongoing payments, like workers' compensation
Emotional Component
May involve personal or emotional healing
Typically devoid of emotional implications
Compare with Definitions
Recompense
To pay or give compensation for; to make restitution.
They recompensed the artist for the use of his image.
Compensate
Adjust or counterbalance a function or action.
The car's advanced design compensates for its high fuel consumption.
Recompense
Payment or reward given for loss or harm suffered.
He received ample recompense for his broken vase.
Compensate
Act of making up for something unwelcome or unpleasant by exerting an opposite force or effect.
The lush garden compensates for the noisy street.
Recompense
Return for effort, money, or service.
Volunteers received a small sum as recompense for their time.
Compensate
Give someone something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.
The firm compensated him for his lost wages.
Recompense
To make amends or give compensation.
The company recompensed the communities affected by its operations.
Compensate
Make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inadequacy.
He compensates for his lack of formal education with extensive reading.
Recompense
Act of compensating for a wrongdoing or a fault.
She offered sincere apologies and a gift as recompense.
Compensate
To be equivalent to; to offset, counterbalance.
No amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one.
Recompense
To award compensation to
Recompensed the victims of the accident.
Compensate
To offset; counterbalance.
Recompense
To award compensation for; make a return for
Recompensed their injuries.
Compensate
To make satisfactory payment or reparation to; recompense or reimburse
Management compensated us for the time we worked.
Recompense
Amends made, as for damage or loss.
Compensate
To stabilize the purchasing power of (a monetary unit) by changing the gold content in order to counterbalance price variations.
Recompense
Payment in return for something, such as a service.
Compensate
To serve as or provide a substitute or counterbalance.
Recompense
An equivalent returned for anything given, done, or suffered; compensation; reward; amends; requital.
Compensate
To do (something good) after (something bad) happens
Recompense
That which compensates for an injury, or other type of harm or damage.
He offered money as recompense for the damage, but what the injured party wanted was an apology.
Compensate
To pay or reward someone in exchange for work done or some other consideration.
It is hard work, but they will compensate you well for it.
Recompense
To reward or repay (someone) for something done, given etc.
Compensate
(ambitransitive) To make up for; to do something in place of something else; to correct, satisfy; to reach an agreement such that the scales are literally or (metaphorically) balanced; to equalize or make even.
His loud voice cannot compensate for a lack of personality.
To compensate me for his tree landing on my shed, my neighbor paved my driveway.
Recompense
To give compensation for an injury, or other type of harm or damage.
The judge ordered the defendant to recompense the plaintiff by paying $100.
Compensate
To adjust or adapt to a change, often a harm or deprivation.
I don't like driving that old car because it always steers a little to the left so I'm forever compensating for that when I drive it. Trust me, it gets annoying real fast.
To compensate for his broken leg, Gary uses crutches.
Recompense
(transitive) To give (something) in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned or deserved.
Compensate
To make equal return to; to remunerate; to recompense; to give an equivalent to; to requite suitably; as, to compensate a laborer for his work, or a merchant for his losses.
Recompense
To render an equivalent to, for service, loss, etc.; to requite; to remunerate; to compensate.
He can not recompense me better.
Compensate
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.
The pleasures of life do not compensate the miseries.
Recompense
To return an equivalent for; to give compensation for; to atone for; to pay for.
God recompenseth the gift.
To recompenseMy rash, but more unfortunate, misdeed.
Compensate
To make amends; to supply an equivalent; - followed by for; as, nothing can compensate for the loss of reputation.
Recompense
To give in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned or deserved.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Compensate
Adjust or make up for;
Engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance
Recompense
To give recompense; to make amends or requital.
Compensate
Make amends for; pay compensation for;
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
Recompense
An equivalent returned for anything done, suffered, or given; compensation; requital; suitable return.
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense.
And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.
Compensate
Make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities;
He is compensating for being a bad father
Recompense
Payment or reward (as for service rendered)
Compensate
Make reparations or amends for;
Right a wrongs done to the victims of the Holocaust
Recompense
The act of compensating for service or loss or injury
Compensate
Do or give something to somebody in return;
Does she pay you for the work you are doing?
Recompense
Make amends for; pay compensation for;
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
Compensate
Make payment to; compensate;
My efforts were not remunerated
Recompense
Make payment to; compensate;
My efforts were not remunerated
Common Curiosities
Can recompense be used in financial contexts?
Yes, recompense can be used in financial contexts, though it often carries additional connotations of fairness or morality.
Is it correct to say that compensation has no emotional implications?
Typically, yes, compensation is focused more on the economic or functional aspects and less on emotional restitution.
How is compensate most commonly used?
Compensate is most commonly used in financial contexts, such as in business or legal settings.
What distinguishes recompense from compensation in legal terms?
In legal terms, recompense usually involves restoring someone to their original condition, while compensation might involve ongoing payments.
What is the primary context for using recompense?
Recompense is primarily used in contexts involving ethical or moral repayment for wrongs or damages.
Can compensate be used in a positive context?
Yes, it can be used in a positive context, especially when it involves making up for something or enhancing a situation.
What is an example of compensating for an environmental impact?
Planting trees to offset carbon emissions is an example of compensating for an environmental impact.
Can compensate have non-financial uses?
Yes, compensate can also mean to counterbalance or offset non-financial deficiencies or challenges.
How does emotional compensation differ from financial compensation?
Emotional compensation involves actions aimed at restoring emotional well-being, whereas financial compensation involves monetary payment.
How do recompense and compensate differ in terms of usage?
Recompense is often a formal or less common term, particularly in casual conversation, whereas compensate is widely used in various contexts.
Is recompense always tangible?
No, recompense can also be intangible, such as an apology or another gesture meant to restore goodwill.
What form of compensation is common in workplace settings?
Monetary payments or benefits, often referred to as compensation, are common in workplace settings.
What might be considered adequate recompense in a personal conflict?
Adequate recompense could include an apology, restitution, or other actions to address the harm caused.
Does compensate always involve direct payment?
Not always; it can also involve providing benefits or adjustments that indirectly address a loss or deficit.
In what situation might you prefer recompense over compensate?
One might prefer recompense in situations where a more comprehensive restoration is sought, beyond just financial payment.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
