redress

[ree-dres, ri-dres, ri-dres]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of redress¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of redress¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Instead, the law has been used in some instances by people seeking redress for racially biased behavior by individual law enforcement officers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The WHO Europe said countries should clarify accountability, establish redress mechanisms for harm, and ensure that AI systems "are tested for safety, fairness and real-world effectiveness before they reach patients".

Read more on Barron's

Having pocketed their windfalls, survivors and those caring for injured vets would have incentive anew to bemoan their sacrifice and demand redress.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It has been described as the biggest shake-up of renting in England in more than 30 years and includes changes to fixed contracts, a ban on no-fault evictions and redress for "excessive" rent increases.

Read more on BBC

Our critic said the show is “less celebration of a revolution than a redress of grievances.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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