recompense with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recompense with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It can be used when discussing compensating someone or something in exchange for a service or favor, but it is more typical to use "recompense" without "with." Example: "He was eager to recompense her for her kindness."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the Saturday Review, the critic Gerald Bullett unfavorably compared Wharton's latest, "A Mother's Recompense," with "Mrs. Dalloway," calling Woolf "a brilliant experimentalist," while Wharton was "content to practice the craft of fiction without attempting to enlarge its technical scope".

The New Yorker

But there has been a small recompense (with the emphasis on small).

BBC

Ming Chinese officials often made recompense with Mongol subordinates for military merits while at the same time strategically relocating their troops and families away from the capital.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The captured William was found to be in such a poor state of repair that it was not worth keeping the corvette and Admiral Pellew ordered the ship burnt, noting in his official report that Lieutenant Owen, who as senior lieutenant would otherwise have been placed in command, should be recompensed with another command as reward for his services in the engagement.

Wikipedia

Then comes a long list of jobs - chairman of the Arts Council and so on - which play on rich men's guilt about having done so well and recompense them with free tickets.

The Guardian - Film

Just as we did in our talks in Northern Ireland, these talks will deal with the decommissioning of weapons, explosives and military infrastructure, with the issue of prisoners and exiles, with the rehabilitation of those caught up in the violence, with security normalization and with recompense for victims.

The New York Times

The usual recompense for somebody with David O'Doherty's levels of wit, charm and distinctiveness would be a couple of hit DVDs, at least, and a lot more fame.

The Guardian

Wharton's novels, including those set in later periods like "The Children" and "The Mother's Recompense," are rich with examples of conventions in flux as they symbolize evolving social attitudes.

The New York Times - Books

The recompense: a tie with sumptuous loft, an elegant knot and a supple hand.

Forbes

"The anarchist painter is not the one who will create anarchist pictures, but he who, without desire for recompense, will fight with all his individuality against official bourgeois conventions by means of a personal contribution".

Emerging Infectious Diseases

One of the things that concern us is that Mr. Modi seems more concerned with rehabilitating his own reputation than with providing recompense and rehabilitation for the surviving victims of those terrible events.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that using the phrase "recompense with" might come across as overly formal or archaic in modern contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "recompense with" in informal writing. It's more appropriate for formal or historical contexts. In everyday conversation or casual writing, opt for alternatives that sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recompense with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of compensating or rewarding someone or something with something else. While grammatically sound, Ludwig suggests that simpler alternatives might be more common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "recompense with" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent way to express the idea of compensating or rewarding. As Ludwig suggests, alternatives like "compensate with" or "reward with" are generally preferred in modern English for clearer communication. This phrase is more likely to be encountered in formal or historical contexts. While understandable, its limited usage indicates that simpler alternatives may be a better choice for most writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compensate with

This alternative replaces "recompense" with "compensate", a more common synonym, maintaining the original structure.

reward with

This alternative substitutes "recompense" with "reward", emphasizing the positive aspect of the action.

repay with

This alternative emphasizes the act of returning something, whether it's a debt or a kindness.

reimburse with

This alternative specifies the compensation as a repayment of incurred expenses or losses.

indemnify with

This alternative suggests protection against loss or damage through compensation.

requite with

This alternative is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying to repay or reciprocate.

make amends with

This alternative focuses on repairing a relationship or situation through compensation or other actions.

settle with

This alternative suggests reaching an agreement involving compensation to resolve a dispute.

make restitution with

This alternative highlights restoring something lost or damaged to its rightful owner.

offset with

This alternative shows that a recompense balances, cancels, or compensates for something else.

FAQs

What does "recompense with" mean?

The phrase "recompense with" means to compensate or reward someone or something with something else. It suggests providing something in return for a service, favor, or loss.

What can I say instead of "recompense with"?

You can use alternatives like "compensate with", "reward with", or "repay with" depending on the specific context.

Is "recompense with" commonly used in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "recompense with" is not as common as other alternatives. It tends to sound more formal or archaic and may not be the best choice for everyday writing or conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "recompense with"?

The phrase "recompense with" is appropriate in formal writing, historical contexts, or situations where a more elevated tone is desired. However, in most modern contexts, simpler alternatives are preferred.