remedy 1 of 2

remedy

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb remedy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of remedy are amend, correct, emend, rectify, redress, reform, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

How is amend related to other words for remedy?

Amend, reform, and revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of remedy?

The meanings of correct and remedy largely overlap; however, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

When could emend be used to replace remedy?

The synonyms emend and remedy are sometimes interchangeable, but emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than remedy?

While the synonyms rectify and remedy are close in meaning, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

When can redress be used instead of remedy?

While in some cases nearly identical to remedy, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

In what contexts can reform take the place of remedy?

Although the words reform and remedy have much in common, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

When might revise be a better fit than remedy?

In some situations, the words revise and remedy 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 remedy
Noun
Speak with your skin specialist (dermatologist) before using natural remedies. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 16 June 2025 What started as a way back into the kitchen is now part of my repertoire — not quite a remedy, but a necessary balm. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
Verb
Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members discuss common legal mistakes startups often make, as well as what leaders should do to remedy them. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 The basic goal of RTM—remedying PTSD without the pain—conflicts with the prevailing paradigm of trauma treatment. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for remedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remedy
Noun
  • There is currently no cure for the disease, per The Mayo Clinic.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 23 June 2025
  • There is no cure for this disease, so dispose of these plants before the beetles can feed further and spread the bacteria to other plants.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Steve was a wonderful antidote to Miranda, and Joy is a wonderful antidote in a very different way.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • The Bottom Line: Strategy Stacking is the antidote to entrepreneurial distraction.
    Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Regardless of who emerged from Tuesday’s runoff, the seating of a new councilmember promised to help heal the distrust and wounds opened up by scandals that had shrouded the District 3 office.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
  • Our programmatic work is designed to heal whole communities.
    Asha Bandele, Essence, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • But a provision tucked inside the Senate Republican bill to enact President Trump's second-term agenda would force the USPS to sell off the brand new trucks and cancel or significantly amend the contract for the remaining 58,800 that are due to be delivered over the next 10 years.
    Tracy J. Wholf June 24, CBS News, 24 June 2025
  • Wilson said amending the city’s sign ordinance to allow digital billboards could also open San Diego up legally to other types of advertising the city has prohibited.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Several personal assistants were tasked with setting up the red lights and candles, delivering baby oil, and sometimes picking up and delivering drugs and thousands of dollars in cash for freak-offs.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
  • Why Specialty Clinics Feel The Pain First Specialty clinics face a perfect storm of challenges: high-cost drugs, evolving payer policies and thousands of diagnosis and procedure codes that need to match up precisely.
    Sally Ragab, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • However, all these solutions feel more like rearranging deck chairs rather than positioning the Hurricanes closer to their championship goal.
    Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • French President Emmanuel Macron said France and other European nations would offer Tehran a diplomatic solution to end its war with Israel, AFP reported.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Managers often fall into this trap by micromanaging to alleviate their own anxiety, but this erodes trust.
    Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The disuse of clemency means that a succession of governors abdicated their ancient power to correct miscarriages of justice and temper justice with mercy, which Florida courts don’t do well.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
  • Trump Is Preparing for a US Attack on Iran Fifty years later, oceanographers are working to correct the record on sharks and educate people on why sharks are a critical part of the ocean's ecosystem and need to be protected.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remedy. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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