recoup

verb

re·​coup ri-ˈküp How to pronounce recoup (audio)
recouped; recouping; recoups

transitive verb

1
a
: to get an equivalent for (losses) : make up for
b
: reimburse, compensate
recoup a person for losses
2
: regain
an attempt to recoup his fortune

intransitive verb

: to make good or make up for something lost
also : recuperate
recoupable adjective
recoupment noun

Examples of recoup in a Sentence

It will be hard for us to recoup the loss. Movie studios can turn to video sales to recoup the costs of a movie that does poorly at the box office. She recouped only a portion of her investment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In short, the policy may recoup money for the government, but at a potentially high human cost for beneficiaries who budget around their Social Security income. Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Before his fractious meeting with Zelensky, Trump had intended to sign mineral resources deal with the Ukrainian leader so that the US could recoup some of the cost of its aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025 During Trump's speech the dollar and U.S. stock futures recouped a little of their losses. Suzanne McGee, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 The sale allowed the company to recoup its costs for the tow, storage and lien sale, $11,332. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recoup

Word History

Etymology

French recouper to cut back, from Old French, from re- + couper to cut — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of recoup was in 1628

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recoup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recoup. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

recoup

verb
re·​coup ri-ˈküp How to pronounce recoup (audio)
1
: to make up for : recover
recoup a loss
2
: reimburse, compensate
recoup a person for losses
recoupment noun

Legal Definition

recoup

transitive verb
re·​coup ri-ˈküp How to pronounce recoup (audio)
: recover sense 1
would recoup the overpayment from current claims paymentsCity of Cordova v. Medicaid Rate Commn., 789 P.2d 346 (1990)

More from Merriam-Webster on recoup

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