1 redress | Definition of redress

redress

verb
re·​dress | \ ri-ˈdres How to pronounce redress (audio) \
redressed; redressing; redresses

Definition of redress

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a(1) : to set right : remedy looked to charity, not to legislation, to redress social wrongs— W. R. Inge
(2) : to make up for : compensate
b : to remove the cause of (a grievance or complaint)
c : to exact reparation for : avenge

2 archaic

a : to requite (a person) for a wrong or loss
b : heal

redress

noun
re·​dress | \ ri-ˈdres How to pronounce redress (audio) , ˈrÄ“-ËŒdres\

Definition of redress (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : relief from distress
b : means or possibility of seeking a remedy without redress
2 : compensation for wrong or loss : reparation
3a : an act or instance of redressing

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Other Words from redress

Verb

redresser noun

Choose the Right Synonym for redress

Verb

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

Examples of redress in a Sentence

Verb

It is time to redress the injustices of the past. the belief that redressing a murder with another murder, even if carried out by the state, is not morally justified

Noun

the new skis were certainly an adequate redress for the lost snowboard
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

People are placed on the list without their knowledge and are unable to redress their grievances, said Judge Anthony Trenga of U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Muslims hope judge's ruling against terror watch list ends harassment by feds," 9 Sep. 2019 The research community has been widely criticized for gender bias — both for inadequate funding on and inadequate attention to medical issues affecting women; this would be an opportunity to help redress the imbalance, at least in this one field. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Paying women to donate their eggs for research is still a terrible idea," 23 Aug. 2019 While most of the sculptures in the city’s collection that honor individuals recognize white men, the sculpture of Dr. Maya Angelou will redress this gender imbalance by not only honoring a woman, but a woman of color. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "San Francisco Is Getting a Monument to Maya Angelou," 7 Aug. 2019 But these social injustices perpetrated on social media are not so easily redressed. The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The High School Deplorables," 22 Jan. 2019 On July 12, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed bill S.6209A/A.7797A into law to redress and prohibit discriminatory treatment inflicted onto individuals with hairstyles and hair textures associated with race. Jennifer Ford, Essence, "Hair Discrimination Is Now Illegal In The State Of New York," 20 July 2019 The only thing worthy of debate is about the right way to redress the imbalance. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Reparations for slavery and its 150-year aftermath overdue," 26 June 2019 Now is the time to name, acknowledge and redress the harm done by Louis Agassiz. Fox News, "Woman suing Harvard over slave portraits gains support of controversial prof's relatives," 21 June 2019 In 1930, Popenoe opened a counseling clinic to redress the devastating impact of feminism on the American family and instruct on the principles of good breeding. Audrey Farley, Longreads, "We Still Don’t Know How to Navigate the Cultural Legacy of Eugenics," 20 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Brown could also consider more quixotic avenues for legal redress. Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Legal Ramifications of Antonio Brown's Growing Dispute With Raiders," 5 Sep. 2019 In the absence of a federal law that explicitly protects workers from anti-LGBTQ discrimination, a worker can seek redress in state law. Julie Moreau, NBC News, "Can a religious school fire a gay teacher? It's complicated.," 26 Aug. 2019 On the face of it, the country’s demands for social redress would seem to align with Morrison’s thinking. Aretha Phiri, Quartz Africa, "How Toni Morrison’s legacy plays out in South Africa’s universities," 14 Aug. 2019 Like many who appear in this column, Kravetz said she was motivated not only for personal redress, but also to be an example to other consumers to fight back when treated badly by businesses. Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "A trip to Ireland balloons from $2,100 to nearly $17,000," 25 Aug. 2019 Some owners who have seen their cars no longer able to charge to 100% have sought redress through arbitration, while at least three have sold their cars, according to Teslamotorsclub.com forum posts. Reuters, The Mercury News, "Tesla hit with lawsuit claiming battery life decline," 8 Aug. 2019 The quest for redress eventually led her to the Supreme Court, which finally ordered the Chilean civil registry in April to correct Lagos’ identity document. Washington Post, "Chile’s dictatorship-era children demand legal recognition," 24 June 2019 This conundrum of rising employment coupled with sinking economic prospects for millions cries out for redress. Eric Brende, WSJ, "How to Beat the High Cost of Working," 31 Aug. 2018 Polling shows a majority of Americans oppose cash payments as a redress for slavery. Bernd Reiter, Quartz, "What US slavery reparations and post-Holocaust Germany have in common," 2 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'redress.' 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 redress

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for redress

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French redresser to set upright, restore, redress, from re- + dresser to set straight — more at dress