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
As part of the settlement, Growth Cave’s executives will be required to liquidate millions of dollars in assets, including a multimillion-dollar house in Woodland Hills, a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari and other luxury vehicles, to provide consumer redress. City News Service, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026 This was groundbreaking at a time when the zeitgeist prioritized inclusion in the American body politic rather than separation and redress. Dara T. Mathis, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Pound-for-pound (based on money spent in the transfer window last summer), Liverpool trailing in sixth place is a sorry under-performance — and something Arne Slot is struggling to redress. Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 There are so many reasons to be mad; the mostly baseless and endless attacks on higher education, the dismantling of life-saving research, ICE, the subverting of policy that redresses shameful social harms. Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redress
Noun
  • Advancing a tax on Delta-8 products could boost readily available funding for the dozens of Black residents who have filed reparations applications and are awaiting their payments, officials argue.
    Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The full scope of these reparations remains unclear, and a specific dollar amount wasn’t noted.
    Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Payton Pritchard added 28-6-6 on 10-of-20 shooting as the Celtics avenged their 29-point home loss to Charlotte on March 4.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw and Carson Kelly drove in runs as the Cubs avenged Thursday's 10-4 opening day loss.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The union is also pushing for more flexibility in school-level decision-making and clearer guidelines around work hours and compensation for extended duties.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • For many, however, the compensation being offered is not enough.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The family is now suing, in part, for monetary damages, disciplinary action against the deputy, and more departmental training.
    Zach Boetto, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redress. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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