redresser

Word: redresser

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Meaning:

Redresser is a French verb that primarily means:

1. To straighten up: This can refer to making something physically straight or upright again (e.g., redresser une barre — straighten a bar).
2. To correct or rectify: Used figuratively, it means to correct mistakes, improve a situation, or set something right (e.g., redresser une situation — correct a situation).
3. To recover financially: In an economic or business context, it can imply restructuring or turning around a business or financial situation that's going poorly (e.g., redresser une entreprise en difficulté — turnaround a struggling company).

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Parts:

• The root verb is dresser which means "to set up" or "to erect."
• The prefix re- implies "again" or "back," so redresser literally means "to set up again" or "straighten again."

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Synonyms:

• Rectifier (to correct)
• Corriger (to correct)
• Rétablir (to re-establish, to restore)
• Redresser la situation (to fix the situation)
• Redresser une courbe (to straighten a curve)

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Antonyms:

• Dérégler (to misadjust, to unsettle)
• Déformer (to deform, to distort)
• Abîmer (to damage)
• Plier (to bend)

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Example sentences:

• Il faut redresser cette cloison qui est penchée.
  (We must straighten this leaning partition.)
• L'entreprise a réussi à se redresser après des années de pertes.
  (The company managed to recover after years of losses.)
• Le comptable a redressé les erreurs dans les comptes.
  (The accountant corrected the errors in the accounts.)

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In summary, redresser is about putting something back into the right position or state, whether physically, conceptually, or financially.