definitions

redress

[ noun ree-dres, ri-dres; verb ri-dres ]
/ noun ˈri drɛs, rɪˈdrɛs; verb rɪˈdrɛs /
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noun

the setting right of what is wrong: redress of abuses.
relief from wrong or injury.
compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or injury.

verb (used with object)

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RELATED WORDS

retribution, reparation, remedy, reprisal, amends, atonement, indemnity, restitution, rectification, restore, vindicate, neutralize, amend, mend, counteract, regulate, correct, amendment, repair, recompense

Nearby words

redowa, redox, redpoll, redraft, redraw, redress, redress the balance, redroot, redshank, redshift, redshifted

Origin of redress

1275–1325; (v.) Middle English redressen < Middle French redresser, Old French redrecier, equivalent to re- re- + drecier to straighten (see dress); (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French redresse, redresce, derivative of the v.

SYNONYMS FOR redress

1 restoration, remedy, atonement. 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.
5 amend, mend, emend, right, rectify, adjust.
6 ease.
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Related forms

re·dress·a·ble, re·dress·i·ble, adjectivere·dress·er, re·dres·sor, nounun·re·dress·a·ble, adjective

Can be confused

re-dress redress (see synonym study at the current entry)

Definition for redress (2 of 2)

re-dress

[ ree-dres ]
/ riˈdrɛs /

verb (used with object)

to dress again.

Origin of re-dress

First recorded in 1730–40; re- + dress

Can be confused

re-dress redress (see synonym study at redress)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for redress

British Dictionary definitions for redress (1 of 2)

redress

/ (rɪˈdrɛs) /

verb (tr)

to put right (a wrong), esp by compensation; make reparation forto redress a grievance
to correct or adjust (esp in the phrase redress the balance)
to make compensation to (a person) for a wrong

noun

the act or an instance of setting right a wrong; remedy or cureto seek redress of grievances
compensation, amends, or reparation for a wrong, injury, etc
relief from poverty or want

Derived Forms

redressable or redressible, adjectiveredresser or rare redressor, noun

Word Origin for redress

C14: from Old French redrecier to set up again, from re- + drecier to straighten; see dress

British Dictionary definitions for redress (2 of 2)

re-dress

/ (riːˈdrɛs) /

verb

(tr) to dress (something) again
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012