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reward

/rɪˈwɔrd/

/rɪˈwɔd/

Other forms: rewarded; rewards; rewarding

A reward is something you get for a job well done. If you study hard for that vocabulary test, an "A" might be the reward in your future.

You can use reward as a verb, as when the mayor rewards a firefighter who saves a family from a terrible blaze, or as a noun, to talk about the actual payment or item that's given to the firefighter. People often offer a reward for the return of lost or stolen things, like bicycles or jewelry or dogs. Reward meant "a regarding" or "an observation" in the 1300's, but it soon came to mean "repayment for some service."

Definitions of reward
  1. noun
    a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
    “virtue is its own reward
    synonyms: payoff, wages
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    type of:
    aftermath, consequence
    the outcome of an event especially as relative to an individual
  2. noun
    payment made in return for a service rendered
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    types:
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    bounty, premium
    payment or reward (especially from a government) for acts such as catching criminals or killing predatory animals or enlisting in the military
    honorarium
    a fee paid for a nominally free service
    blood money
    a reward for information about a murderer
    guerdon
    a reward or payment
    meed
    a fitting reward
    type of:
    payment
    a sum of money paid or a claim discharged
  3. noun
    the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
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    types:
    price
    a monetary reward for helping to catch a criminal
    type of:
    offer, offering
    something offered (as a proposal or bid)
  4. noun
    benefit resulting from some event or action
    “reaping the rewards of generosity”
    synonyms: advantage
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    Antonyms:
    penalty
    the disadvantage or painful consequences of an action or condition
    type of:
    benefit, welfare
    something that aids or promotes well-being
  5. noun
    an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
    synonyms: reinforcement
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    types:
    carrot
    promise of reward as in "carrot and stick"
    type of:
    approval, approving, blessing
    the formal act of approving
  6. verb
    bestow honor or rewards upon
    “The scout was rewarded for courageous action”
    synonyms: honor, honour
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    Antonyms:
    attaint, disgrace, dishonor, dishonour, shame
    bring shame or dishonor upon
    types:
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    drink, pledge, salute, toast, wassail
    propose a toast to
    dignify, ennoble
    confer dignity or honor upon
    decorate
    award a mark of honor, such as a medal, to
    give
    propose
    type of:
    recognise, recognize
    show approval or appreciation of
  7. verb
    strengthen and support with rewards
    synonyms: reinforce
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    type of:
    instruct, learn, teach
    impart skills or knowledge to
  8. verb
    act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
    synonyms: pay back, repay
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    type of:
    act, move
    perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Pronunciation
US

/rɪˈwɔrd/

UK

/rɪˈwɔd/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘reward'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
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