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compenser

to compensate, to offset

verb kohm-pahn-SEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Also means

to make up for

Usage Note

Compenser is used when one thing balances or makes up for another: compenser une perte ('to offset a loss') or compenser son manque d'expérience par son enthousiasme. In psychology, compenser describes overcoming a perceived weakness through another strength. The noun compensation and adjective compensatoire are common in legal and financial French.

Examples

"Il compense sa timidité par l'humour."

Natural Translation

He compensates for his shyness with humour.

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