Synonyms of redress

redress 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈdres 

as in reparation

payment to another for a loss or injury

the new skis were certainly an adequate redress for the lost snowboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reparation
• compensation
• damages
• restitution
• indemnity
• recompense
• indemnification
• reprisal(s)
• recoupment
• punishment
• satisfaction
• remuneration
• reimbursement
• quittance
• settlement
• adjustment
• repayment
• refund
• retaliation
• expiation
• atonement
• punitive damages
• amends
• requital
• solatium

redress

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈdres 

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

• avenge
• revenge
• retaliate
• punish
• requite
• get even (for)
• venge
• penalize
• compensate
• correct
• right
• repay
• fix
• discipline
• castigate
• chastise
• scourge
• pay (back)
• recompense
• get
• chasten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forgive
• excuse
• remit
• pardon
• absolve
• condone

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

Recent Examples of redress

Noun

One man wrote to ask about what redress to demand for a child who suffered permanent injury from a classroom fight while the teacher was absent. —Chris Buckley, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

None of the companies selling predictive services offer information publicly about passenger redress if they are unfairly targeted by the algorithms or have posted openly accessible human rights or privacy impact assessments. —Caitlin Chandler, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025

Verb

That would be an error that no amount of military strength could redress. —Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

Trump on Friday signed an executive order to cut U.S. aid to South Africa, citing an expropriation act that President Cyril Ramaphosa signed last month aiming to redress land inequalities that stem from South Africa's history of white supremacy. —Reuters, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025