redress 1 of 2

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
The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. Mari Yamaguchi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 However, after considering that ruling, which was largely seen as a win for the banks, the FCA still proposed an industry-wide redress scheme for certain types of compensation claims. William James, Reuters, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
But those sets needed to be redressed for all the other installments to represent the post-crash Maginot, plus there are lots of guest actors playing the crew, plus there are multiple action sequences. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025 Equality of opportunity means using federal money to redress this imbalance. Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Kyiv would be required to repay the debt only if Russia paid reparations for its war.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Jackson uses his considerable fortune to pay reparation to the victims.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And for Oregon, a comfortable win — on the heels of outlasting Penn State on the road — cements the Ducks on that short list of legit national championship contenders this year, with a manageable schedule the rest of the way and an eye on avenging last season’s first-round Playoff exit.
    Justin Williams, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The Dragons avenged that defeat in a 56-7 regional final rout of Byron Nelson that same year.
    Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The film follows the turbulent journey of Evi-Oghene Donalds (Evi), a gifted but arrogant music star whose world collapses after her record label cuts ties without compensation.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Control, permission for use, and compensation is a fundamental right of these workers.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Having claimed damages of £48,000, William received £1,800, along with a pension that barely covered his London expenses.
    Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Under copyright law, rightsholders can sue and obtain statutory damages for individual acts of infringement — regardless of whether the infringer offers an opt-out or not.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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