redress 1 of 2

Definition of redressnext

redress

2 of 2

verb

as in to avenge
to punish in kind the wrongdoer responsible for the belief that redressing a murder with another murder, even if carried out by the state, is not morally justified

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb redress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of redress are amend, correct, emend, rectify, reform, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

How is amend related to other words for redress?

Amend, reform, and revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When might correct be a better fit than redress?

The synonyms correct and redress are sometimes interchangeable, but correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to redress?

Although the words emend and redress have much in common, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than redress?

The words rectify and redress can be used in similar contexts, but rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

In what contexts can reform take the place of redress?

While the synonyms reform and redress are close in meaning, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

When can remedy be used instead of redress?

The words remedy and redress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When could revise be used to replace redress?

In some situations, the words revise and redress are roughly equivalent. However, revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of redress
Noun
Yet my overall impressions of the exhibition—as a public forum of address, redress, and dialogue in which critical questions of public memory, regional identity, ideologies of nationalism, and the capacious field of site-specific sculpture can, if not should be borne out—are decidedly more mixed. Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 In a first act of redress, the organizers have also gathered this list of alternative New York City cultural spaces, highlighting the organizations affiliated with the PACBI (Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel) movement. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
This comes amide a wider push among states to redress Congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026 The village’s Black residents, including Hettie, are energized by a promising but tangled effort to redress a long-standing injustice—the unequal compensation received by Black South African soldiers in the Second World War. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Collective, which advocates for reparations, land returns for Native Americans, bonds for newborns and a universal basic income.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Calls for reparations have increased in recent years, reaching a crescendo with the UN designation in March — though the US, UK and a host of other countries either rejected the claim or abstained from voting on it.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Bastard son Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim), the undisputed MVP of this battle, jumped to battle Sharako and avenge his father.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Miles will return to the Metroplex when the Lynx play the Dallas Wings — who will be looking to avenge their 100-76 loss earlier in the season — on Sunday, June 28 at College Park Center.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • An effort to limit healthcare executives’ compensation.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
    Brian Sloan, CNBC, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The lawsuit also seeks unspecified financial damages.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 24 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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