redress

1 of 2

verb

re·​dress ri-ˈdres How to pronounce redress (audio)
redressed; redressing; redresses

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to set right : remedy
looked to charity, not to legislation, to redress social wrongsW. R. Inge
(2)
: to make up for : compensate
b
: to remove the cause of (a grievance or complaint)
c
: to exact reparation for : avenge
2
archaic
a
: to requite (a person) for a wrong or loss
b
: heal
redresser noun

redress

2 of 2

noun

re·​dress ri-ˈdres How to pronounce redress (audio)
ˈrē-ˌdres
1
a
: relief from distress
b
: means or possibility of seeking a remedy
without redress
2
: compensation for wrong or loss : reparation
3
a
: an act or instance of redressing
Choose the Right Synonym for redress

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong.

correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

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

amend a law

, reform implying drastic change

plans to reform the court system

, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples of redress in a Sentence

Verb It is time to redress the injustices of the past. the belief that redressing a murder with another murder, even if carried out by the state, is not morally justified Noun the new skis were certainly an adequate redress for the lost snowboard
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Indeed, such knowledge no doubt explains why [Roe] threatened to file suit through a 'confidential' demand letter rather than simply filing suit to redress her alleged (but untrue) injuries. Jack Irvin, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024 The offensive does not redress the current materiel imbalance in the war. Michael Kofman, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2024
Noun
The efforts amount to a small fraction of what would have been needed for cash payments to descendants of slavery or for other forms of monetary redress, like subsidies for education or homeownership. Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2024 Many organizations labor tirelessly to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, redress inequities in care, and address the social determinants of health that often are at the root of mental illness. Discover Magazine, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for redress 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'redress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French redresser to set upright, restore, redress, from re- + dresser to set straight — more at dress

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of redress was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near redress

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redress. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

redress

1 of 2 verb
re·​dress ri-ˈdres How to pronounce redress (audio)
: to set (as a wrong) right : remedy, relieve
redresser noun

redress

2 of 2 noun
re·​dress ri-ˈdres How to pronounce redress (audio)
ˈrē-ˌdres
1
a
: relief from distress
b
: the way or possibility of seeking a remedy
2
: something that makes up for wrong or loss
3
: an act or instance of redressing

Legal Definition

redress

noun
1
a
: relief from distress
b
: a means of obtaining a remedy
2
: compensation (as damages) for wrong or loss
redress transitive verb

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