redress 1 of 2

redress

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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
Since September, when the CFPB reached the Navient settlement, the agency has ordered eight other companies to make consumer redress payments totaling between $202.6 million and $247.6 million. Douglas Gillison, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 The remedy proposed by the NCAA, an opportunity opt out at the start of one's college career and seek redress in court hardly seems fair or workable. Justin Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
This is meant to redress four centuries of racist colonial rule against black people! William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 The Trump administration has said the tariffs are aimed at curbing the flow of migrants and drugs such as fentanyl into the U.S., as well as redressing trade imbalances with other countries. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Meanwhile, France has finally acknowledged the injustice of making Haiti pay for its independence (no mention of reparations).
    Oumou Fofana, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know Miller made the comments about reparations during a discussion about the ongoing saga of Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On a remote asteroid mining operation, a grieving Mechanist gets a new companion and has a chance to avenge herself against the Shaper assassin who killed her husband.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Could avenging that particular defeat be enough to bring about a bigger vibe shift?
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
    Dan Avery, CNBC, 9 May 2025
  • Robert Hugin, who worked as Celgene’s CEO and then executive chairman, received $51 million in total compensation from 2015 to 2017.
    David Armstrong, ProPublica, 8 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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