English vocabulary · C1
Redress
/rɪˈdrɛs/ · v., n.
To redress a wrong is to make it right. The hurt person gets fair help or money, so the bad result does not stay the same.
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Example sentences
- Courts can redress harm with money.
- A refund redressed the unfair charge.
Word origin and roots
from Old French
- re — again (from Old French)
- dress — straighten (from Old French)
Synonyms and nuances
- REMEDY — a way to fix a bad result (Makes A Wrong Better)
- FIX — correct something that is wrong (Makes It Right)
- REPAY — return money that is owed (Gives Something Back)
Words with the same root
dress — straighten
- address — a location or a formal talk
- dress — put clothes on
Lesson notes
To redress a wrong is to make it right. The hurt person gets fair help or money, so the bad result does not stay the same.
Related: remedy, fix, repay. Use redress when a wrong must be made right.
Courts can redress harm with money. A refund redressed the unfair charge.
From Old French. Re- means again. Dress means straighten. Straighten the wrong again. That is redress.