rectify

verb

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

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
rectification noun

Did you know?

Don’t worry if you struggle with the word rectify—we’re here to set you straight. When you rectify something, you correct an error or make things right, which is fitting because rectify and correct both ultimately trace back to the Latin word regere, which can mean “to lead straight,” “to direct,” or “to rule.” Rectify has had its “to set right” meaning since the early 16th century, but the word has over the years accrued various other meanings as well, including the specialized uses “to purify especially by repeated or fractional distillation” (as in “rectified alcohol”), “to make (an alternating current) unidirectional,” and several medical applications having to do with healing of one kind or another. Regere plays a part in the histories of a number of familiar English words, in addition to those mentioned above; the many relatives of rectify include direct, resurrection, and regimen.

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

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 Pro-Tek has set their sights on helping to rectify this misguided notion. Brent Simon, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 For example, the bill gives the owner of a short-term rental 15 days to rectify a problem. Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 The initiative is designed to rectify a multitude of historic problems with IDR programs, including forbearance-steering by servicers and poor oversight by the Education Department. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Don’t overdo it; listen to complaints and do your best to rectify any issue that might jeopardize a meaningful relationship. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024 The building’s management has five business days to rectify the issue, according to city code. Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024 Whereas a wealthy country like the US has wriggle room to rectify such design flaws, in Africa, home to half of the world’s extreme poor, the stakes for easing into a regime of trade liberalization, especially one as ambitious as the AfCFTA, are a great deal higher. Harry G. Broadman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Assure their concerns are addressed and outline the steps taken to rectify the situation. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 The new series — which again tells the story of the four nations of water, earth, fire and air as young Air Nomad Aang (played by Gordon Cormier) reawakens to take his place as the next Avatar and save the world after the fire nation attacks — seeks to rectify that. Ryan Fish, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rectify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectify was circa 1529

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Dictionary Entries Near rectify

Cite this Entry

“Rectify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectify. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rectify

verb
rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce rectify (audio)
rectified; rectifying
: to set or make right
rectifiable
-ˌfī-ə-bəl
adjective
rectification noun

Medical Definition

rectify

transitive verb
rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce rectify (audio)
rectified; rectifying
1
: to purify (as alcohol) especially by repeated or fractional distillation
2
: to make (an alternating current) unidirectional

More from Merriam-Webster on rectify

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