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.

---

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

---

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

Seema Misra, who ran a post office in West Byfleet, Surrey, criticised ongoing delays as an MPs' report found thousands were awaiting full redress, but said the main issue was accountability.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

"We need this to happen very quickly and we need to also make sure that there is accountability as well as redress for the victims," he insisted.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

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

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 clean it thoroughly, and painfully, with alcohol swabs, careful not to touch anything that might infect me, then redress the wound.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

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