verbverb
se redresser
to straighten up · straighten up
Definition & meaning
Se redresser is a pronominal verb meaning to straighten up, to sit or stand upright, or to rise back up after bending or falling.
It can also mean to recover or improve, especially of a person’s health, a business, or a situation. In some contexts, it means to stand up to or resist someone or something.
Grammar & word origin
- Infinitive: se redresser
- Part of speech: pronominal verb
- Auxiliary in compound tenses: être ; for example, elle s’est redressée (“she straightened up”).
- The verb combines the reflexive pronoun se with redresser , “to straighten” or “to set upright.” The prefix re- often suggests doing something again or restoring a previous state.
Synonyms & antonyms
The best synonym depends on the meaning:
- se tenir droit means “to hold oneself upright”; it emphasizes posture.
- se relever means “to get back up”; it emphasizes rising after being down.
- se rétablir means “to recover,” especially from illness or difficulty.
- se reprendre means “to regain control” or “pull oneself together,” rather than physically straightening up.
- s’affaisser (“to slump”) and se courber (“to bend”) are antonyms when referring to posture.
- décliner (“to decline”) can be an antonym when se redresser means “to recover” or “improve.”
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Elle se redresse brusquement après sa chute.verb
She straightens up suddenly after her fall.
Assis devant l’ordinateur, il se redresse lentement.verb
Sitting in front of the computer, he slowly straightens up.
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