rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrestitutionMaking good a loss or wrong
noun

restitution

res-tih-TOO-shun/ˌrestɪˈtuːʃn/

The act of restoring what someone has lost or been wrongfully deprived of.

The woman makes restitution by replacing the man's shattered planter.

A woman gives a man an intact replacement for his shattered ceramic planter; matching distinctive decoration makes the compensation visually explicit.
Etymology
reLatinagain; back
+stitutLatinto set up
+ionLatinact or process

The pieces express “setting up again.” In restitution, returning to a former state means making good a loss or injury, whether by returning property or providing compensation.

In context

University of California Television (UCTV)21:02
underline my emphasis wipe out all the consequences of the illegal act and reestablish the situation which would in all probability have existed if the ACT had not been committed restitution in kind
Legacy of Slavery: Reparations

More examples

  • Returning the stolen painting is one way to make restitution.
  • The contractor makes restitution by repairing the damage at no charge.
  • Victims receive restitution for their losses after the fraud trial.

Similar words

compensation
Covers payment for loss or injury, not necessarily wrongdoing.
reparation
Emphasizes making amends for harm, often on a larger scale.
reimbursement
Repays money already spent rather than restoring something wrongfully taken.