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
In 2020, a demand to redress historic wrongs grew following the murder of George Floyd and the national Black Lives Matter movement. Ara Rosenthal, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026 Morrison has to redress the concealing and conciliatory language of the slave narratives. Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • The fees would act as a kind of war reparations, says Ghiselli, while allowing Iran to institutionalize its management of the shipping route.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The city currently collects a 3% Cannabis Retailers Occupation Tax on recreational cannabis sales to use as revenue for reparations, in addition to funding from Evanston’s real estate transfer tax.
    Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Bruins avenged their only loss of the season and redeemed themselves after last season’s lopsided Final Four loss to Connecticut.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The Illini can end Connecticut's ridiculous run on Saturday by avenging their November loss at Madison Square Garden.
    Ryan Baker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Even if the war is over, the country's already ailing economy now faces dire trouble — though sanctions relief and compensation are also in Iran's 10-point plan.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Jung, a close ally of Lee, said the government is willing to expand legal redress and speed compensation for victims of government abuses whose cases have been verified by the truth commission.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The restaurant groups are now suing for more than $1 million in direct damages, as well as for punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and costs.
    Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Musk is seeking more than $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing that OpenAI defrauded him as a donor by restructuring the business away from its nonprofit roots.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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