Synonyms of remedy

remedy 1 of 2

noun

ˈre-mə-dē 

1

as in cure

a substance or preparation used to treat disease

preferred to treat colds with a homemade remedy made from garlic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cure
• drug
• medication
• medicine
• medicinal
• prescription
• pill
• potion
• specific
• medicament
• physic
• antibiotic
• pharmaceutical
• panacea
• syrup
• tonic
• prescription drug
• nostrum
• botanical
• cure-all
• tablet
• serum
• injection
• patent medicine
• salve
• wonder drug
• lotion
• tincture
• capsule
• ointment
• cap
• liniment
• poultice
• miracle drug
• purgative
• antiseptic
• cordial
• cathartic
• shot
• embrocation

2

as in antidote

something that corrects or counteracts something undesirable

the mayor was desperately searching for a remedy to the recent surge in crime the city had been experiencing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• antidote
• solution
• cure
• therapy
• therapeutic
• answer
• rectifier
• curative
• corrective
• panacea
• elixir
• cure-all
• medicine
• relief
• balm
• succor
• aid
• help
• medicinal
• palliative

remedy

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to cure

to bring about recovery from

a little extra studying should remedy your poor performance in history thus far this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cure
• heal
• alleviate
• relieve
• soothe
• treat
• mend
• allay
• ease
• assuage
• temper
• salve
• moderate
• lighten
• diagnose
• palliate
• medicate
• nurse
• doctor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aggravate
• worsen
• misdiagnose
• overdiagnose
• underdiagnose

2

as in to amend

to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

needed to wear glasses to remedy her bad vision

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amend
• correct
• reform
• rectify
• rewrite
• change
• improve
• repair
• redress
• emend
• debug
• red-pencil
• right
• modify
• ameliorate
• revise
• better
• rework
• fix
• adjust
• perfect
• shorten
• regulate
• polish
• alter
• blue-pencil
• redraft
• redraw
• cut
• modulate
• restyle
• mend
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hurt
• harm
• impair
• damage
• injure
• spoil
• mar
• aggravate
• worsen

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

Recent Examples of remedy

Noun

Independence for the 13 colonies was in the interest of anyone, anywhere, who believed the only remedy for tyrannical authority was for people to govern themselves. —Michael Kazin, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026

Ford advised owners =not to drive the vehicles until the remedy is completed. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Verb

To remedy, fill a plastic bag with water and vinegar, then tie a rubber band around the faucet head. —Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026

For generations, the federal government enforced civil rights laws with an eye toward remedying historic, systemic discrimination against Black people and other people of color. —ABC News, 3 June 2026