Recompense Meaning
/ˈɹɛkəmˌpɛns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn equivalent returned for anything given, done, or suffered; compensation; reward; amends; requital.
nounThat which compensates for an injury, or other type of harm or damage.
Sentence Examples
He received a small amount of money as recompense for his loss.
The company offered to recompense the customers for the delay.
They received financial recompense for the damage to their property.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The court ordered the defendant to ____ the victim for medical expenses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The court ordered the company to pay ____ to all employees who had been unfairly dismissed.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English recompense, borrowed from Old French recompense or Medieval Latin recompensa.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"O let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,
Who plead for love and look for recompense
More than that tongue that more hath more express'd."
— 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 23:
"She in regard thereof him recompenst / With golden words, and goodly countenance, / And such fond fauours sparingly dispenst […]"
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, IV.ii:
"He cannot recompense me better."
— c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
"Recompense to no man evil for evil."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Romans 12:17:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The court ordered the defendant to ____ the victim for medical expenses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The court ordered the company to pay ____ to all employees who had been unfairly dismissed.