Definition of redressnext
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
Still, seeking redress through the Federal Tort Claims Act is one of the few legal remedies available for those seeking financial compensation for deaths, physical injuries, emotional trauma, unlawful detention or property damage caused by federal employees. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 This investment will not entirely solve that problem or redress the many inequities at work, but it will be used to create more incentives and to support international activation around domestic games, which will help promote the Bundesliga as a brand. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
You’ll be redressed and out of the security line faster than all of your travel mates. Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026 In that settlement ‒ which, in contrast, was approved by a federal judge ‒ the Justice Department made $760 million available to redress farmers' claims of discrimination. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Understanding Caribbean history For Bousquet, the debate over reparations remains tied to how the Caribbean understands its own history, including slavery’s abolition and emancipation.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The growing reparations movement is one expression of that connection.
    Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Holmes cites the popular Japanese manga series Kagurabachi, about a sword-wielding young man on a quest to avenge his father.
    Daniel Strauss, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a month left until the Chiefs start their arduous journey to avenge a lost season and return to the playoffs — and compete for a fourth Super Bowl title of this era.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • According to the interim deal signed in June, a schedule to end sanctions and plan on compensation would be part of the final deal, and negotiations would address frozen assets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Salary transparency is fundamentally reshaping how individuals approach their careers, providing unprecedented access to compensation data.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The family is seeking general damages, special and economic damages, and wrongful damages.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Over the weekend, Tehran submitted its own set of new demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which included complete compensation for damages wrought by the president’s bombing campaigns.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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