redress 1 of 2

redress

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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
The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. Mari Yamaguchi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 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
Verb
This is nothing more than a sad and vicious attempt to falsely tarnish the reputation of an eighty year old woman in blatant retaliation for bringing a lawsuit to redress the wrongful conduct of Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, and their co-conspirators. Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025 Truth surfaces, if at all, decades later, when secrets may be declassified too late to redress the stupendous harm in the interim. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • But, first, one of the January 6th insurrectionists, emboldened by his pardon from the President, is now campaigning for reparations.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Drawing from international human rights frameworks, theological ethics rooted in her Presbyterian tradition, and four historical case studies involving harm against AAPI communities, Kao examines both the moral and political dimensions of reparations.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • MacDonald imagines Kirk looking down from a window in Heaven as his children grow up, and the right unites to avenge his death.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba linked up for two goals in a 3-1 Inter Miami home win against the Seattle Sounders, as the men in pink avenged their painful Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Without adequate stability, your shoulders lose their proper foundation and alignment, creating a cascade of compensations that lead to pain and increased injury risk.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The necessary compensation, Atlanta’s disinterest in moving him and the amount of money the Bengals would need to take on with Cousins’ salary make this an unlikely scenario, even though Cousins would be the best football alternative.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The daycare owners also signed away their right to sue for flood damages, but the state did not place a restrictive covenant on their remaining property.
    Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Around $150,000 in attorney’s fees, damages and more, actually.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on redress

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