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
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 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Financial Times that Washington must accept responsibility for the attacks and provide financial redress before nuclear negotiations could resume. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
In due course, the winners can be demonized, while the losers exercise political pressure to prevent change and redress their own suffering. Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 Getty Europe Has 'Made Mistakes' With Defense The tariffs imposed by Trump on Europe to try to redress trade imbalances have been another source of friction with the U.S. As a member of the European Union, Denmark does not hold separate trade negotiations with the United States. Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Is there anything to fear in the way Shillingford describes what reparations for Black and Indigenous people looks like to her?
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Its first-ever color feature, In the Shadow of Honor, which was going to be filmed in Indonesia, was canceled due to disagreements between the two countries related to colonial war reparations.
    Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An anime about a teenager avenging the deaths of his family at the hands of hordes of carnivorous demons wouldn’t usually be the sort of film which would be met with unanimous praise from critics.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Mustangs avenged their 27-24 defeat against the Highlanders, which came in the opening round of the 2024 CIF SS Division 3 playoffs.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And the new role had a different sort of perk, in the form of compensation.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In 2025, green jobs offer not just solid compensation but also the chance to influence policy, equity, and resilience.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The judge declined to grant substantial monetary damages to the husband, however.
    Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The complaint says McNeil suffered a range of injuries from the incident, including a concussion, and seeks $200,000 in damages.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on redress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!