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rectify

verb
rec·​ti·​fy | \ ˈrek-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce rectify (audio) \
rectified; rectifying

Definition of rectify

transitive verb

1 : to set right : remedy
2 : to purify especially by repeated or fractional distillation rectified alcohol
3 : to correct by removing errors : adjust rectify the calendar
4 : to make (an alternating current) unidirectional
Other Words from rectify Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about rectify

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Other Words from rectify

rectification \ ˌrek-​tə-​fə-​ˈkā-​shən How to pronounce rectification (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for rectify

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

Did You Know?

Which of the following words does not share its ancestry with rectify—direct, regimen, obstruct, correct, or resurrection? Like rectify, four of these words ultimately come from Latin regere, which can mean "to lead straight," "to direct," or "to rule." Correct and direct come from regere via Latin corrigere and dirigere, respectively. Resurrection comes from Latin resurgere, whose stem surgere, meaning "to rise," is a combination of sub- and regere. Regimen is from Latin regimen ("position of authority," "direction," "set of rules"), itself from regere. And rectify is from regere by way of Latin rectus ("right"). Obstruct is the only one of the set that has no relation to rectify. It traces back to Latin struere, meaning "to build" or "to heap up."

Examples of rectify in a Sentence

The hotel management promised to rectify the problem. let me get the store manager, and he'll rectify the invoice for your order

Recent Examples on the Web

 National conservatives promise government can rectify this wrong. — George F. Will, The Mercury News, "Will: “National conservatism” is “Elizabeth Warren conservatism”," 11 Aug. 2019 National conservatives promise government can rectify this wrong. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: ‘National conservatism’ is ‘Elizabeth Warren conservatism’," 11 Aug. 2019 National conservatives promise government can rectify this wrong. — George F. Will, The Denver Post, "Will: “National conservatism” is “Elizabeth Warren conservatism”," 11 Aug. 2019 Incorrect invoices require payment with no system in place for rectifying the mistakes or for making returns. — Independent Retailers, Billboard, "An Open Letter to the Majors From Independent Record Stores (Guest Op-Ed)," 16 July 2019 The issue that demanded the seemingly obvious auditory reminder should have been rectified. — John Kelly, Washington Post, "Why is there an extra length of track at the airport Metro station?," 10 Aug. 2019 But, as long as the federal design isn’t rectified, the reality won’t change. — Yohannes Gedamu, Quartz Africa, "The underlying tension behind Ethiopia’s flawed federal system and its risks," 26 June 2019 The team rectified that decision by putting a fully-functioning keyboard in the full-sized version. — Allen Kim, CNN, "Iconic 80s computer The Commodore 64 to return with fully-functional keyboard," 26 June 2019 One provision that the union would like to see inserted is an ability to stop products at the border until violations are rectified, a suggestion that prompted one of the numerous rounds of applause from the crowd. — Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "AFL-CIO President Trumka says NAFTA replacement not ready," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rectify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rectify

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rectify

Middle English rectifien, from Anglo-French rectifier, from Medieval Latin rectificare, from Latin rectus right — more at right

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More Definitions for rectify

rectify

verb
How to pronounce rectify (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of rectify

formal : to correct (something that is wrong)

See the full definition for rectify in the English Language Learners Dictionary

rectify

verb
rec·​ti·​fy | \ ˈrek-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce rectify (audio) \
rectified; rectifying

Kids Definition of rectify

: to set or make right She promised to rectify the problem.

rectify

transitive verb
rec·​ti·​fy | \ ˈrek-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce rectify (audio) \
rectified; rectifying

Medical Definition of rectify

1 :

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