What does "compensate" most nearly mean?

The term "compensate" refers to providing something, typically money or another form of payment, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury. It can also mean to offset or make up for something. In this context, "remunerate" closely aligns with this meaning, as it specifically refers to paying someone for their work or services, which is a form of compensation.

Understanding the nuances of "compensate" is key here. While "remunerate" involves payment, the other options do not share this essence. "Disregard" means to pay no attention to something; "neglect" implies a failure to care for something properly; and "penalize" means to impose a penalty on someone. None of these convey the idea of providing payment or offsetting a loss like "compensate" does, making "remunerate" the most accurate synonym in this context.