Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
* Compensate: To provide something in return for a loss, damage, or service.
* Compensatory: Relating to or serving as compensation.
Examples:
* Compensatory damages: A legal term referring to money awarded to a plaintiff to make up for financial losses incurred due to a defendant's actions.
* Compensatory leave: Time off work granted to an employee to make up for lost work hours due to illness or other reasons.
* Compensatory growth: The increase in size or number of a part of an organism to make up for a loss or injury.
Synonyms:
* Indemnifying
* Reparative
* Reimbursing
* Recompensing
* Atoning
Antonyms:
* Punitive
* Retributive
* Exemplary
Essentially, "compensatory" refers to actions or things that aim to restore balance and fairness by addressing a loss or deficiency.