indemnify

USAGE SUMMARY

'indemnify' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something is held harmless from losses or damages. For example, "The insurance company agreed to indemnify the homeowner for the cost of repairs due to the storm damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Client agrees that it shall indemnify and hold GNM harmless against all and any losses or damages (including legal costs and VAT thereon) incurred as a result of use of the Services.

The Guardian

When he was first arrested, the company refused, but he brought NI to court and after a lengthy legal battle that went all the way to the supreme court, it was ruled that NI did have to indemnify him against costs and expenses relating to his defence.

The Guardian

Xerox's bylaws indemnify its executives for all such charges, so the company will be paying Mr Allaire's $7.6m, as well as the $11.8m that the SEC has demanded from five other Xerox executives.

The Economist

With directors and officers buying insurance directly, there would be no need for company bylaws to indemnify their mistakes and let them keep the proceeds even of egregious fraud.

The Economist

He is now defying a judicial order to indemnify the owners of land taken over by the city back in 1989.

The Economist

It would be hard to get a good price for the tainted News International, Mr Juenger points out, and any buyer would probably insist that News Corp indemnify it against the effects of possible future revelations.

The Economist

Most open-source firms indemnify their customers against such lawsuits in any case.All this has led many companies to develop a much more pragmatic approach to open-source software.

The Economist

America's lawmakers went a step further, and agreed to insure the proposed FutureGen plant and to indemnify the firms behind it from all lawsuits arising from leaks.Last year the EU passed a law requiring its members to draw up rules for CCS.

The Economist

We have agreed to pay Mr Lee damages and to indemnify him for all costs incurred by him in connection with this matter.Comparative povertySIR – Regarding your comparison of poor people in the United States with poverty in Congo ("The mountain man and the surgeon", December 24th).

The Economist

A bill to indemnify lobstermen who attempt to rescue whales has now passed the Senate and is expected to pass the House.A compromise over the gear will probably be found, but the lobstermen are newly conscious of their vulnerability.

The Economist

And Microsoft has trumpeted that it will indemnify its users against potential patent-infringement liability which is clearly meant to show up open-source software, where some infringement cases have been brought.All in all, it looks as though Microsoft is preparing to use intellectual property as a new competitive weapon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts, specify clearly the scope and limits of the "indemnify" clause to avoid future disputes. For instance, explicitly state which types of losses are covered and any exclusions that apply.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad "indemnify" clauses that could expose one party to unlimited liability. Limit the scope to reasonably foreseeable risks and specify a maximum liability amount where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indemnify" is as a transitive verb. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the act of securing someone against loss or damage, or compensating them for expenses or injuries. The provided examples from news articles, encyclopedias, and legal documents support this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

18%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "indemnify" functions as a verb with the core meaning of protecting against loss or damage. Ludwig AI confirms this and highlights its use in securing someone against financial or legal repercussions. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show that "indemnify" is used frequently in formal contexts like news reports, encyclopedias, and business documents.

Analysis of source types indicates that the term appears most often in "News & Media", with a substantial presence also in encyclopedias and formal business settings. When drafting contracts, specify clearly the scope and limits of the "indemnify" clause to avoid future disputes, and avoid using overly broad clauses that could expose one party to unlimited liability. Limit the scope to reasonably foreseeable risks and specify a maximum liability amount where appropriate. Common synonyms include phrases such as "provide compensation for", "reimburse for losses", and "protect against liability".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide compensation for

Focuses on the act of giving recompense, highlighting the compensatory aspect.

reimburse for losses

Specifically emphasizes the repayment of incurred losses.

protect against liability

Highlights the shielding from legal responsibility.

guarantee against damages

Stresses the assurance of protection from harm or damage.

secure from financial risk

Emphasizes the safeguarding from potential monetary loss.

hold harmless from claims

Focuses on preventing someone from being held responsible for claims.

insure against potential losses

Highlights the insurance aspect, focusing on covering potential financial detriments.

cover the costs of

Emphasizes the act of financially supporting any expenditure that can arise.

make restitution for

Emphasizes the restoration of something lost or damaged.

bear the financial burden of

Highlights the responsibility of shouldering the economic cost

FAQs

How is "indemnify" used in legal contracts?

In legal contracts, "indemnify" means to protect someone against financial loss or legal claims. It's a promise to cover their costs if they suffer damages or are sued as a result of a specific event or action.

What does it mean to "indemnify against losses"?

To "indemnify against losses" means to provide security or protection against potential financial damages or liabilities. It's an agreement to compensate someone if they incur losses under specified conditions.

Which is correct, "indemnify from" or "indemnify against"?

"Indemnify against" is the more commonly used and generally preferred phrasing. While "indemnify from" may be encountered, "indemnify against" clearly conveys the meaning of protecting someone against a potential risk or liability.

What's the difference between "guarantee" and indemnifying?

A "guarantee" assures that an obligation will be fulfilled. Indemnifying, on the other hand, specifically protects against loss or damage, potentially covering costs even if the original obligation is met. For example, if one "guarantees" delivery, but does not "indemnify against losses", the buyer may still seek damages.