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Definitions

repay

[ri-pey] / rɪˈpeɪ /
VERB
give back money or possession
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate offset pay back refund reimburse restore reward
STRONG
accord award balance indemnify rebate recompense remunerate requite return square
WEAK
make amends make restitution make up for pay dues settle up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage penalize
STRONG
disagree refuse take withhold
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone seize steal
VERB
get even; obtain restitution for past injustice
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pay back
STRONG
avenge reciprocate requite retaliate return revenge
WEAK
even the score get back at get revenge make reprisal return the compliment settle the score square accounts
Antonyms
STRONG
forgive pardon refuse sympathize
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone penalize seize steal take

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some students faced having to find tens of thousands of pounds to urgently repay, with the government saying it was up to the universities involved, and their franchise colleges, to make sure none suffered hardship.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Maybe his family table became your refuge in the year after your wife left you, and no amount of money could ever repay him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

It is technically not too late for her to change her mind — the agency allows people to withdraw their claims within the first 12 months, provided they repay any benefits they have received.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

The company defaulted in 2021 after struggling to repay creditors.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

I thanked her and told her I’d be by the Farkases’ tomorrow afternoon to repay her.

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

Vocabulary lists containing repay

Part 2 Vocabulary (Unit 5)

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