redress

American  

[ree-dres, ri-dres, ri-dres] / ˈri drɛs, rɪˈdrɛs, rɪˈdrɛs /

noun

1. the setting right of what is wrong.

   redress of abuses.

   Synonyms:

   atonement, remedy, restoration

2. relief from wrong or injury.

3. compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or injury.

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verb (used with object)

1. to set right; remedy or repair (wrongs, injuries, etc.).

2. to correct or reform (abuses, evils, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   adjust, rectify, right, emend, mend, amend

3. to remedy or relieve (suffering, want, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   ease

4. to adjust evenly again, as a balance.

redress British  

/ rɪˈdrɛs /

verb

1. to put right (a wrong), esp by compensation; make reparation for

   to redress a grievance

2. to correct or adjust (esp in the phrase redress the balance )

3. to make compensation to (a person) for a wrong

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noun

1. the act or an instance of setting right a wrong; remedy or cure

   to seek redress of grievances

2. compensation, amends, or reparation for a wrong, injury, etc

3. relief from poverty or want

Related Words

Redress, reparation, restitution suggest making amends or giving indemnification for a wrong. Redress may refer either to the act of setting right an unjust situation (as by some power), or to satisfaction sought or gained for a wrong suffered: the redress of grievances. Reparation means compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or loss inflicted. The word may have the moral idea of amends: to make reparation for one's neglect; but more frequently it refers to financial compensation (which is asked for, rather than given): the reparations demanded of the aggressor nations. Restitution means literally the restoration of what has been taken from the lawful owner: He demanded restitution of his land; it may also refer to restoring the equivalent of what has been taken: They made him restitution for his land.

Other Word Forms

• redressable adjective
• redresser noun
• redressible adjective
• redressor noun
• unredressable adjective

Etymology

Origin of redress

First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English redressen, from Middle French redresser, Old French redrecier, equivalent to re- re- + drecier “to straighten” ( dress ); (noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French redresse, redresce, derivative of the verb

Example Sentences

Trade lawyers everywhere are thrilled by the complex lawsuits that will get under way as companies seek redress for illegal tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The letter to that particular university says former students are seeking redress for the academic years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, 67, had said on Friday he would "seek redress" from the commission, with his party alleging "inconsistencies and fabrications".

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

I love to play in clothes — but also will walk in the store and redress a whole mannequin.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

"I saw the queues, the shortages, the filthiness of public lavatories, the bureaucracy, the corruption, the red tape, the rudeness of officials, the impossibility of obtaining redress when one had a complaint," he remembered.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• amend
• correct
• counteract
• even out
• mend
• neutralize
• regulate
• remedy
• restore
• vindicate