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
But controversial government efforts to redress inequalities have been plagued by corruption and cronyism. Michael H Gavshon, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026 The judge also ruled that the Nigerian government failed in its constitutional duty to seek redress for the victims. Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
South Africa last year said the US had applied pressure on Pretoria to end laws aimed at redressing wealth imbalances caused by apartheid, and Washington later slapped a 30% tariff on many South African exports — the highest on the continent. semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026 In 2020, a demand to redress historic wrongs grew following the murder of George Floyd and the national Black Lives Matter movement. Ara Rosenthal, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • While there is a respectable moral case to be made for some form of reparations, Tubbs appears to be excessively fixated on policy ideas that would bankrupt our state if actually implemented.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Ukraine will only need to repay the loan if a future peace deal includes Russia paying reparations.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After encountering an alien girl named Ruthye, who is hellbent on avenging the death of her father, Supergirl joins the fight for justice.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
  • But his main motivation was to fictionally avenge the death of his real-life brother from the painkiller Oxycontin.
    Molly Lambert, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The suit identified one of the senior leaders as Michael Rapino, Live Nation’s longtime chief executive, who received almost $90 million in compensation in the three years ending in 2025, securities filings show.
    Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The company disclosed the executive compensation in an SEC filing Friday.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Taking time before a storm arrives to unplug the right appliances and household items can be the difference between weathering the storm safely and thousands of dollars in damages.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
  • On Tuesday a civil jury concluded that Lodes resigned involuntarily due to his reporting of a hostile workplace and was awarded the multimillion-dollar payment as compensation for his emotional damages.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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