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
There are so many reasons to be mad; the mostly baseless and endless attacks on higher education, the dismantling of life-saving research, ICE, the subverting of policy that redresses shameful social harms. Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 To redress this at his own bakery, Castel created his pain d’hier et de demain (the bread of yesterday and tomorrow), made from stale, unsold inventory. Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Cincinnati's vice mayor has proposed reparations for policies that kept many Black people from owning property.
    Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The company, Whakaari Management Limited, was found guilty on a health and safety charge, with a judge ordering it to pay millions of dollars in reparations and fines.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Lebanon has been pulled deep into the war in the Middle East since Hezbollah opened fire to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader, igniting an Israeli offensive which has killed nearly 500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities − with the death toll rising by around 100 a day.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The win also carries extra meaning for a program that has rapidly risen under coach Cameron Bradford, avenging a 2023 NorCal semifinal loss to Oakland and sending TKA to its second consecutive NorCal final.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • While discussing the current compensation system in college sports, the president went on a tirade against the Supreme Court for unanimously ruling against the NCAA’s restrictions on noncash compensation for college athletes in 2021.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
  • If the actual value of the Prize is less than the ARV stated above, the winner shall not be entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for the difference.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Goldie’s claim was for possession of the home, not being awarded financial damages.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Judge Gutierrez reasoned that jurors’ confusion about the evidence was apparent in their assessment of damages.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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