redress

1 of 2

verb

re·​dress ri-ˈdres 

redressed; redressing; redresses

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to set right : remedy

looked to charity, not to legislation, to redress social wrongs

—W. R. Inge

(2)

: to make up for : compensate

b

: to remove the cause of (a grievance or complaint)

c

: to exact reparation for : avenge

2

archaic

a

: to requite (a person) for a wrong or loss

b

: heal

redresser noun

redress

2 of 2

noun

re·​dress ri-ˈdres 

ˈrē-ˌdres

1

a

: relief from distress

b

: means or possibility of seeking a remedy

without redress

2

: compensation for wrong or loss : reparation

3

a

: an act or instance of redressing

b

: retribution, correction

Synonyms

Verb

• avenge
• requite
• retaliate
• revenge
• venge [archaic]

Noun

• compensation
• damages
• indemnification
• indemnity
• quittance
• recompense
• recoupment
• remuneration
• reparation
• reprisal(s)
• requital
• restitution
• satisfaction

Choose the Right Synonym for redress

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong.

correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

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

amend a law

, reform implying drastic change

plans to reform the court system

, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples of redress in a Sentence

Verb

It is time to redress the injustices of the past.

the belief that redressing a murder with another murder, even if carried out by the state, is not morally justified

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Biden administration’s first step ought to be to seek to redress—rather than attempt to exploit—Trump’s dangerous legacy of maximum failure. —Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2021

But some of these leaders do clearly see this moment as an opportunity to reshape the country’s political balance and perhaps redress the political disadvantages between the country’s communities. —Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

Black Box Diaries, which opened Oct. 25 in the U.S., chronicles Ito’s attempts to procure legal redress. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024

To seek redress and inclusion, the first step is to identify the barriers to entry: an array of laws and informal rules to proscribe, diminish, and isolate the marginalized. —Stacey Y. Abrams, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French redresser to set upright, restore, redress, from re- + dresser to set straight — more at dress

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing redress

• redress the balance

Kids Definition

redress

1 of 2 verb

re·​dress ri-ˈdres 

: to set (as a wrong) right : remedy, relieve

redresser noun

redress

2 of 2 noun

re·​dress ri-ˈdres 

ˈrē-ˌdres

1

a

: relief from distress

b

: the way or possibility of seeking a remedy

2

: something that makes up for wrong or loss

3

: an act or instance of redressing

Legal Definition

redress

noun

re·​dress ri-ˈdres, ˈrē-ˌdres 

1

a

: relief from distress

b

: a means of obtaining a remedy

2

: compensation (as damages) for wrong or loss

redress

ri-ˈdres 

transitive verb