compensatory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'compensatory' is correct and can be used in written English.
It means providing payment or compensation for something, usually as a form of redress for a wrong or injury. For example, "The company offered a compensatory sum to employees who had been unjustly treated in the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The lawsuit, which was brought by the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association and one of the fired officers, seeks compensatory damages and an injunction against future such searches.

The Guardian

It has also emerged that UK taxpayers have been hit with a bill of as much as £50m in compensatory payments to workers laid off incorrectly during more than 20 company insolvencies overseen by Deloitte in the past six years.

The Guardian - Business

Had this place been offered – let's say – in spite of inadequate exam results, through some compensatory fiat of social engineering, I would also have been appalled.

The Guardian

AS IF by some compensatory principle, central Europe lost one pariah president this week just as another loomed into view.

The Economist

Third came Mr Tribe's "number theory": the court noted that few awards that exceeded "a single-digit ratio between punitive and compensatory damages" would be constitutional.In this section The impossibility of making whole Rule by numbers Unbundling The American dream Thinking big Epidemics and economics ReprintsThese are honeyed words to the ears of many companies.

The Economist

Ted Boutrous, a lawyer representing Ford, believes the State Farm ruling requires that the award against Ford be cut to at most $5m, to match the compensatory damages awarded by the trial court.Yet, although pleasing to corporate lawyers, the Supreme Court's guideline may restrict the ability of punitive-damages courts to promote economic efficiency.

The Economist

Thanks to a recent change in the electoral law, the other parties then get "compensatory" seats to restore the balance among the parties.

The Economist

This might conceivably increase compensatory payments to outlandish proportions.The biggest headache for insurers and companies in America is litigation by claimants who are not seriously ill, against companies with only a peripheral connection with asbestos.

The Economist

Because of Mr Berlusconi's insistence on the abolition of a tax on first homes, and his refusal to accept a compensatory increase in VAT (the ostensible reason for withdrawing his ministers), there is a growing chance the budget deficit will go back above 3% of GDP.

The Economist

In other words, there will be less money to distribute among more disabled and unemployed people.Nonetheless, the financial plan argues that "compensatory measures to protect the most vulnerable are being stepped up".

The Economist

The same is true if it thinks that higher minimum wages will feed into higher retail prices, especially if that prompts compensatory wage demands.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compensatory" in legal or financial contexts, ensure you clearly specify what is being compensated for and the method of compensation.

Common error

Avoid using "compensatory" too broadly. It should refer to a specific attempt to redress a specific imbalance or loss, not just any general benefit or improvement.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "compensatory" primarily functions to describe something that serves to compensate or make amends for a loss, damage, or deficiency. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that it modifies nouns to indicate a compensating quality or effect. The many examples from diverse sources illustrate its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compensatory" functions as an adjective signifying something that compensates for loss, damage, or deficiency. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from various sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It frequently appears in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, typically maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When using "compensatory", ensure it refers to specific attempts to redress imbalances, and consider alternatives like "remedial" or "offsetting" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remedial

Focuses on correcting or improving a deficiency or problem.

offsetting

Highlights the act of counterbalancing or neutralizing something else.

redressive

Emphasizes the act of providing redress or remedy for a wrong.

atoning

Implies making amends or reparation for a wrongdoing.

making up for

A more colloquial way of saying compensating for a loss or deficiency.

balancing

Suggests a state of equilibrium achieved through compensation.

rectifying

Implies correcting something that is wrong or unjust.

counteracting

Focuses on opposing or negating the effects of something.

reparative

Emphasizes repairing or restoring something to a good condition.

indemnifying

Focuses on protecting someone against financial loss.

FAQs

How is "compensatory" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "compensatory" often describes damages awarded to a plaintiff to compensate for losses, injuries, or harm suffered due to the defendant's actions. For example, "compensatory damages" are intended to cover the plaintiff's actual losses.

What's the difference between "compensatory" and "compensating"?

"Compensatory" is an adjective describing something that serves to compensate, while "compensating" is a verb form indicating the act of compensating. You might say "The payment was compensatory," or "The company is compensating employees for their losses."

Can I use "compensatory" to describe emotional support?

While "compensatory" usually refers to tangible compensation like money or goods, it can sometimes describe emotional support if that support is meant to make up for a loss or hardship. However, consider using a more specific term like "supportive" or "comforting" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to using "compensatory" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "remedial", "offsetting", or "redressive" to express the idea of providing compensation or making up for something. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.