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

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
As part of the settlement, Growth Cave’s executives will be required to liquidate millions of dollars in assets, including a multimillion-dollar house in Woodland Hills, a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari and other luxury vehicles, to provide consumer redress. City News Service, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026 This was groundbreaking at a time when the zeitgeist prioritized inclusion in the American body politic rather than separation and redress. Dara T. Mathis, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
There are so many reasons to be mad; the mostly baseless and endless attacks on higher education, the dismantling of life-saving research, ICE, the subverting of policy that redresses shameful social harms. Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 To redress this at his own bakery, Castel created his pain d’hier et de demain (the bread of yesterday and tomorrow), made from stale, unsold inventory. Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Iran countered with its own five conditions in return, including war reparations and rights over the Strait of Hormuz for Iran.
    NPR Staff, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The payment of war damages and reparations.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Payton Pritchard added 28-6-6 on 10-of-20 shooting as the Celtics avenged their 29-point home loss to Charlotte on March 4.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw and Carson Kelly drove in runs as the Cubs avenged Thursday's 10-4 opening day loss.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear.
    Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Troopers get a 3% raise, also known as a change in employee compensation.
    Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • While the $6 million in damages a jury in Los Angeles awarded to the 20-year-old plaintiff — which the companies vowed to appeal — will barely register on their balance sheets, the impact of the verdict will likely be more damaging and harder to quantify.
    Kurt Wagner, Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The judge has final say over how much damages are awarded.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on redress

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster