Synonyms of rectify

rectify

verb

ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

as in to amend

to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

let me get the store manager, and he'll rectify the invoice for your order

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amend
• correct
• remedy
• reform
• rewrite
• change
• improve
• repair
• emend
• modify
• revise
• redress
• debug
• ameliorate
• adjust
• right
• rework
• fix
• red-pencil
• better
• shorten
• perfect
• regulate
• alter
• redraw
• polish
• redraft
• cut
• modulate
• restyle
• blue-pencil
• mend
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hurt
• impair
• harm
• damage
• injure
• spoil
• mar
• aggravate
• worsen

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rectify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rectify are amend, correct, emend, redress, reform, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for rectify?

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

amend a law

When can correct be used instead of rectify?

While the synonyms correct and rectify are close in meaning, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to rectify?

The words emend and rectify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is it sensible to use redress instead of rectify?

The meanings of redress and rectify largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When might reform be a better fit than rectify?

In some situations, the words reform and rectify are roughly equivalent. However, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

When would remedy be a good substitute for rectify?

The synonyms remedy and rectify are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 rectify?

While in some cases nearly identical to rectify, revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rectify

The audit called for those conflicting mandates to be rectified and suggested the monitor’s office could hire an outside attorney who does not work for the city. —Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025

That these famous names were dedicating time and energy to the cause nearly two years later felt to me like a poor attempt to rectify what felt like eons of damning, upsetting silence. —Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025

The rise is coupled with major political shifts in the country following the election of President Bernardo Arévalo, who vowed to fight corruption, tackle inequality, and rectify the discrimination against Indigenous Peoples after years of democratic erosion and corruption. —Simmone Shah, Time, 16 Sep. 2025

The extension signified rectifying the city's decision, motivated by Black-white racial divisions, not to name the entire street after the Civil Rights leader. —Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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