reward

[ri-wawrd]

noun

1. a sum of money offered for the detection or capture of a criminal, the recovery of lost or stolen property, etc.

2. something given or received in return or recompense for service, merit, hardship, etc.

   Synonyms: bonus, premium, bounty, requital, remuneration, pay, desert

verb (used with object)

1. to recompense or requite (a person or animal) for service, merit, achievement, etc.

   Synonyms: remunerate, pay, compensate

2. to make return for or requite (service, merit, etc.); recompense.

reward

/ rɪˈwɔːd /

noun

1. something given or received in return for a deed or service rendered

2. a sum of money offered, esp for help in finding a criminal or for the return of lost or stolen property

3. profit or return

4. something received in return for good or evil; deserts

5. psychol any pleasant event that follows a response and therefore increases the likelihood of the response recurring in the future

verb

1. (tr) to give (something) to (someone), esp in gratitude for a service rendered; recompense

Other Word Forms

• rewardable adjective
• rewarder noun
• rewardless adjective
• rewardableness noun
• rewardably adverb
• misreward verb (used with object)
• overreward verb
• superreward verb (used with object)
• unrewardable adjective
• unrewarded adjective
• well-rewarded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reward¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (verb) rewarden originally, “to regard,” from Old North French rewarder “to look at,” variant of Old French reguarder; regard

Word History and Origins

Origin of reward¹

C14: from Old Norman French rewarder to regard, from _re- + warder to care for, guard, of Germanic origin; see _ward

Synonym Study

Reward, prize, recompense imply something given in return for good. A reward is something given or done in return for good (or, more rarely, evil) received; it may refer to something abstract or concrete: a $50 reward; Virtue is its own reward. Prize refers to something concrete offered as a reward of merit, or to be contested for and given to the winner: to win a prize for an essay. A recompense is something given or done, whether as reward or punishment, for acts performed, services rendered, etc.; or it may be something given in compensation for loss or injury suffered, etc.: Renown was his principal recompense for years of hard work.

Example Sentences

But feeling alone and stuck in New York City, she turns toward this place of cultural familiarity, where the imam counsels her that she’ll be rewarded for her obedience in her next life.

From Los Angeles Times

Broadcaster Richie Anderson has said his new role on BBC One property show Escape to the Country has been a "rewarding" experience ahead of his first episode.

From BBC

Netanyahu has said recognising statehood in the wake of the Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza, would amount to "a reward for terrorism".

From BBC

But those lucky enough to have clear and dark skies could be rewarded "with a rare and memorable display".

From BBC

Having backed up an impressive opening-round win over Wales, the reward is a place in the knockout stages for the first time since 2002.

From BBC

Related Words

• award 
• benefit 
• bonus 
• bounty 
• compensation 
• dividend 
• honorarium 
• premium 
• profit 
• remuneration