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reparation

reparation

25 6.8
Giving money or help to make up for a wrong
  • noun
  • /ˌrɛpəˈreɪʃən/
: reparación
  • I must make reparation for what I have done.
  • reparations for victims
  • reparation for their suffering
  • make reparations

Now, you talk about reparations as one way to address it.

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Examples

  • Reparations must be made.

  • Do they owe reparations or remedies to affected groups?

  • Let what remains of it serve only to make reparation for the guilt of sin.

    Academic text (2004)
  • This is a first step in making reparation... ...towards those whose art was unlawfully taken from them.

  • Third, it provided the rationale for victims to claim reparation for violations of their human rights.

    Academic text (1991)
  • They can pay reparations to victims.

  • From these funds, reparations of $ 1 million will be paid... to each of the 83 marines' families.

  • However, it was also found that self-blame often led people to make amends or reparations.

    Academic text (1995)
  • There have been no reparations for the abuse our people suffered, building the railroads in the 1860s.

  • The company agreed to pay financial reparation to the workers affected by the accident.

Synonyms

compensation
vsreparation
240 3.6

Money given to pay someone for work and to make up for loss or injury

focuses on repairing wrongs and damage rather than payment for regular work
remedy
vsreparation
85 3.8

An action that corrects a mistake or bad situation

focuses on repairing harm or restoring loss for wrongs rather than general fixes
payment
vsreparation
83 1.0

Something done or given to return help and make up for harm

is aimed specifically at fixing wrongs or repairing injury rather than neutral return
amends
vsreparation
75 3.5

Actions or money given to make up for harm someone caused

has the same meaning and is used interchangeably in context
reimbursement
vsreparation
46 4.0

Money paid back to someone for costs they paid

is broader, also covering non monetary actions to repair harm
restitution
vsreparation
  • Specialized
39 6.9

Giving back something lost or paying money for damage

emphasizes repair or giving back rather than only monetary measures
atonement
vsreparation
27 7.5

A way to make things right after doing something wrong

is broader, applying to any wrong, injury, or damage not only moral cases
redress
vsreparation
  • Formal
15 7.6

An action or money that corrects a wrong

is more about providing repair for injury or damage rather than general correction
compensatory damages
vsreparation
  • Specialized
6 6.3

Money paid to someone for a real loss or injury caused by another

is more general and can include actions beyond legal money awards
satisfaction
vsreparation
  • Formal
5 3.9

Something given or done that makes a person feel their complaint is solved

is about repairing harm more broadly, not only addressing a single complaint
expiation
vsreparation
  • Formal
4 9.3

To do something to make up for a wrong and show you are sorry

focuses on actions to fix harm rather than inner removal of guilt
recompensation
vsreparation
1 8.2

Something, usually money, given to reward effort or to make up for loss

focuses on fixing wrongs and injuries rather than rewarding effort
redressal
vsreparation
  • Indian
1 8.2

An action that fixes a wrong by giving help or money to the person harmed

is focused on general repair or action to address wrongs rather than only complaints

How Compensatory

reparation
25 6.8
restitution
  • Specialized
39 6.9
compensation
240 3.6
amends
75 3.5
apology
738 1.0

Surface Forms

reparation singular
reparations plural

Morphology

reparation = repair (semi-transparent) = repair + ation

The meaning 'compensation or action to make amends' is an extended, metaphorical use of 'repair' rather than a literal action, so learners may not derive the exact legal/moral sense from 'repair' alone.

Etymology

Reparation in the sense of making amends comes from the idea of 'repairing' a wrong: Latin re- 'again' plus parare 'to make ready', like repair, so giving a reparation is an action or payment meant to 'fix' a hurt and make things right.