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

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
In a first act of redress, the organizers have also gathered this list of alternative New York City cultural spaces, highlighting the organizations affiliated with the PACBI (Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel) movement. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026 And Congress cannot pass any laws that abridge the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
This comes amide a wider push among states to redress Congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026 The village’s Black residents, including Hettie, are energized by a promising but tangled effort to redress a long-standing injustice—the unequal compensation received by Black South African soldiers in the Second World War. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Reports also suggest that Iran expects to receive, through some unspecified payment mechanism, potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in de-facto reparations for damage caused by the war.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
  • At least five states, including California, New York and Maryland, and more than a dozen cities, including Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia, have created have created task forces or commissions to study slavery reparations.
    Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Behind Gianikos, the Hawks had a chance to not only win their first state title in the sport but also avenge their 13-4 loss to Libertyville in the Schaumburg Supersectional last season.
    Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • But the mood quickly shifts when Beulah brings up Beth's late brother, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), whom Beth killed in the Yellowstone series finale to avenge her father, John Dutton (Kevin Costner).
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • This initiative aims to empower artists, giving them control and better compensation for their catalogs, especially for legacy tracks where original contracts have expired.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers said the Ghana conference was aimed at moving the reparations debate from recognition to concrete measures, including moves to require compensation under international law.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The 10 Wisconsin electors, Chesebro and Troupis all settled a lawsuit that was brought against them by Democrats seeking damages.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • The 52-year-old was diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive disease that damages and scars lung tissue.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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