redress
ri-DRES
/rɪˈdres/
To remedy or set right an undesirable or unfair situation; (as a noun) compensation for a wrong.
The most 'civilized' word in this group; it focuses on balance and correction rather than pain.
The story behind the word. From 're-' (again) and 'dresser' (to arrange or straighten). It literally means to 'straighten out' a situation that has become crooked or unfair.
Word relationships
- rectify: To put right a mistake or error.
- amend: To make minor changes to make something fairer or more accurate.
- aggravate: To make a problem or injury worse.
- perpetuate: To make an unfair situation continue indefinitely.
Commonly confused with
- retaliate: 'Retaliate' is about hurting back; 'redress' is about fixing what was broken.
Collocations
- redress the balance
- seek redress
- legal redress
Example sentences
- "The petition sought to redress the grievances of the displaced homeowners." Political activism
- "The court provided a means of redress for those affected by the environmental disaster." Legal proceedings
Memory hook
Think of 'RE-DRESS'. If you put your clothes on wrong, you 're-dress' to fix the mistake. Straighten it out.
When not to use
Don't use when you want to emphasize the suffering of the person being punished.
Fun facts
- The US Constitution's First Amendment protects the right to 'petition the Government for a redress of grievances.'
Related words
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