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
West African fraudsters also represent their work as a kind of redress for historical injustice. Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 The opportunity for legal redress is long; state law says the statute of limitations expires a half year after a child turns 18. Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 17 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
  • The Kremlin has threatened to take action against the EU if the supranational organization follows through with its reparations loan.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In a case that predated the Israel-Hamas war, the court said Israel abused its position as an occupying power and called on it to cease new settlement activity, evacuate settlers and make reparations for the damage caused.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Minnesota will get a chance to avenge last week’s loss to the Lakers, a 128-110 defeat in Los Angeles, where Luka Doncic put up a ridiculous line of 49 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The Eagles’ task of the week involves avenging their loss to the Giants in Week 6.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
    Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Gagnon's was the second trade proposal authored by a major outlet Wednesday, in which the Raiders receive incoming draft compensation as part of the acquisition of a quarterback with once high expectations who has fallen out of favor with his current organization.
    Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Kessler and Berman have also stressed there isn’t case precedent for the application of Title IX to the allocation of damages in an antitrust case.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The plaintiff is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on redress

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