Definition of redressnext
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
This investment will not entirely solve that problem or redress the many inequities at work, but it will be used to create more incentives and to support international activation around domestic games, which will help promote the Bundesliga as a brand. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 Which is to say that its power as a mode of redress in the first sense—as agent for proclaiming and correcting injustices—is being appealed to constantly. Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
In that settlement ‒ which, in contrast, was approved by a federal judge ‒ the Justice Department made $760 million available to redress farmers' claims of discrimination. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 19 May 2026 Since then, a number of laws have sought to redress racial inequality. Constance Malleret, Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Some in Nigeria view Yahoo Boys as folk heroes, stealing money from white foreigners as a means of reparations for slavery and colonialism.
    Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
  • Last month, Mottley led a subcommittee of Caribbean leaders that launched a new slavery reparations manifesto during a reparations conference in Ghana.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Egor Demin scored 22 points to lead six players in double figures for the Nets (2-1), who avenged a 79-76 loss to the Kings on Day 1 of the California Classic in Sacramento.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • There’s a house on the property where Francis Ford Coppola filmed Vito Corleone avenging his mother’s death in The Godfather Part II, but Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were interested in a much older tale about Sicily—one of gods and mortals.
    Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • The movement also seeks sweeping reforms to the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide over the leaks or exam results.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • Monfort said he has been bombarded by queries for the photos by professional media outlets while also seeing his images reproduced countless times on social media and the internet without any credit or compensation.
    Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • These cases aren’t about monetary damages, but instead injunctive relief—specifically, a court order that blocks the NCAA from disallowing an athlete whom the NCAA classifies as ineligible.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026
  • Take a wrongful termination case where the plaintiff asks for past and future wages loss, emotional dress, and damages for PTSD that allegedly occurred from a particularly stressful workplace.
    Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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