What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reimbursed
Example
I was reimbursed for my travel expenses after the business trip. [reimbursed: past tense]
Example
The company will reimburse you for any necessary expenses related to your job. [reimburse: verb]
compensate
Example
The hotel compensated us for the inconvenience of the noisy construction outside our room. [compensated: past tense]
Example
The company offered to compensate the customer for the faulty product. [compensate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Compensate is more commonly used than reimbursed in everyday language. Compensate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reimbursed is more specific and often used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reimbursed and compensate?
Reimbursed is typically associated with a formal and professional tone, while compensate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
