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Definition of recourse

recourse

/ˈriːkɔːrs/
re · course
Plural:recourses
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recourse Lexical Profile

recourse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A source of help or strategy that one turns to in a difficult situation, or the act of turning to someone or something for assistance.

Example

"When negotiations failed, the union felt its only recourse was to call a strike."

2

The legal right to demand compensation or payment from a party when a contract, loan, or obligation is defaulted upon.

Example

"The lender issued a non-recourse loan, meaning they had no legal recourse beyond seizing the collateral."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for recourse

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with 'resource', 'recourse' specifically denotes the act of turning to someone or something for assistance, or the legal right to demand compensation, frequently used in the phrase 'have recourse to'.

• Nearby Words

recoup
recoupable
recouple
recourse
recover
recoverable
recoverer

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French recours, from Latin recursus ('a running back, return, or retreat'), derived from recurrere ('to run back').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Recourse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 3, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/recourse
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