RECTIFY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'rectify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rectify are amend , correct , emend , redress , reform , remedy , and revise . While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed. // rectify a misguided policy

Q: How does the word 'amend' relate to other synonyms for 'rectify'?

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

Q: When can 'correct' be used instead of 'rectify'?

While the synonyms correct and rectify are close in meaning, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects. // correct your spelling

Q: Where would 'emend' be a reasonable alternative to 'rectify'?

The words emend and rectify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript. // emend a text

Q: When is it sensible to use 'redress' instead of 'rectify'?

The meanings of redress and rectify largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance. // redress past social injustices

Q: When might 'reform' be a better fit than 'rectify'?

In some situations, the words reform and rectify are roughly equivalent. However, reform implies drastic change. // plans to reform the court system

Q: When would 'remedy' be a good substitute for 'rectify'?

The synonyms remedy and rectify are sometimes interchangeable, but remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil. // set out to remedy the evils of the world

Q: When could 'revise' be used to replace 'rectify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rectify , revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes. // revise the schedule

rectify

verb

ˈrek-tə-ˌfī

Definition of rectify next

as in to amend

to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from let me get the store manager, and he'll rectify the invoice for your order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rectify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rectify are amend, correct, emend, redress, reform, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for rectify?

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

amend a law

When can correct be used instead of rectify?

While the synonyms correct and rectify are close in meaning, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to rectify?

The words emend and rectify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is it sensible to use redress instead of rectify?

The meanings of redress and rectify largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When might reform be a better fit than rectify?

In some situations, the words reform and rectify are roughly equivalent. However, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

When would remedy be a good substitute for rectify?

The synonyms remedy and rectify are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 rectify?

While in some cases nearly identical to rectify, revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples 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 rectify Later, her anguish over his unjust plight—and her inability to rectify it—is both a galvanizing force and a heartrending reality. —

Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024 But Professor Sarat says the pardon power has come to be used less as an act of mercy and more as a tool to rectify injustice. —

Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2024 The district is also a year into a September 2023 monitoring order with the Texas Education Agency to rectify issues with its special education services. —

Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Dec. 2024 Ingram seemed like the obvious way to rectify that roster imbalance, particularly after the Pelicans signed Murphy to a four-year, $112 million extension on the eve of the regular season. —

Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rectify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rectify

Verb

The merger points amend Fubo’s carriage agreements with Fox and Disney, the latter creating a new Sports & Broadcasting offering to include, on the Disney side, ESPN+, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN and ESPNEWS.

Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
The law was amended in 2018 to allow local companies to crowdfund up to $5 million from unaccredited (or non-professional) investors per year.

Jessica Boehm, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025