If you achieve something without recourseto a particular course of action, you succeed without carrying out that action. To have recourseto a particular course of action means to have to do that action in order to achieve something.
[formal]
It enabled its members to settle their differences without recourse to war. [+ to]
The public believes its only recourse is to take to the streets.
Synonyms: option, choice, alternative, resort More Synonyms of recourse
recourse in British English
(rɪˈkɔːs)
noun
1.
the act of resorting to a person, course of action, etc, in difficulty or danger (esp in the phrase have recourse to)
2.
a person, organization, or course of action that is turned to for help, protection, etc
3.
the right to demand payment, esp from the drawer or endorser of a bill of exchange or other negotiable instrument when the person accepting it fails to pay
4. without recourse
Word origin
C14: from Old French recours, from Late Latin recursus a running back, from re- + currere to run
recourse in American English
(ˈriˌkɔrs; rɪˈkɔrs)
noun
1.
a turning or seeking for aid, safety, etc.
to have recourse to the law
2.
that to which one turns seeking aid, safety, etc.
one's last recourse
3. Business and Law
the right to demand payment from the maker or endorser of a negotiable instrument, as a bill of exchange
usually in without recourse, without obligation to pay (added by the endorser to a bill of exchange to escapepossible liability)
Word origin
ME recours < OFr < L recursus, a running back: see re- & course
Examples of 'recourse' in a sentence
recourse
A spokesman said:'We will now consider the further legal recourse that is available to us.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Innocent victims of online abuse must have a recourse to protection.
The Sun (2014)
And what legal recourse do parents have in a situation like this?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The only recourse is disciplinary action.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She made some very good points, such as the lack of legal recourse for the innocent.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
If not, the only recourse is legal action.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Try to avoid paying cash, as there is little recourse if things go wrong.
The Sun (2015)
When you suffer damage, you should be able to seek recourse.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
And no dispute in French politics is complete without constant recourse to history.
Wright, Vincent The Government and Politics of France (1989)
Our recourse to legal aid has been exhausted, but the new lawyer has promised not to charge us too much.
James Fergusson KANDAHAR COCKNEY: A Tale of Two Worlds (2004)
Violence became a frequent recourse.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Indeed, a person married to a cruel or irresponsible spouse had little recourse but to run away or accept the unhappy situation.
Divine, Robert A. (editor) & Breen, T. H & Frederickson, George M & Williams, R. Hal America Past and Present (1995)
In the past, in the absence of legal recourse, chefs sometimes took a devious approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Their potential negligence may have put you in breach of your legal obligations as a landlord, and your tenant could seek recourse through a claim for damages.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
recourse
British English: recourse NOUN
If you achieve something without recourse to a particular course of action, you succeed without carrying out that action. To have recourse to a particular course of action means to have to do that action in order to achieve something.
It enabled its members to settle their differences without recourse to war.
American English: recourse
Brazilian Portuguese: recurso
Chinese: 依靠
European Spanish: recurso
French: recours
German: Zuflucht
Italian: ricorso
Japanese: 頼ること
Korean: 의지
European Portuguese: recurso
Latin American Spanish: recurso
(noun)
Definition
a source of help or course of action that is turned to when in difficulty
The public believes its only recourse is to take to the streets.
Synonyms
option
He was jailed for thirty days without the option of a fine.
choice
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone.
alternative
If you don't fancy going on holiday to Malta, we have several alternatives.
resort
the option of force as a last resort
appeal
resource
She is willing to use every resource to win an argument.
remedy
way out
refuge
expedient
I reduced my spending by the simple expedient of destroying my credit cards.
backstop
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alternative
Definition
either or any of such choices
If you don't fancy going on holiday to Malta, we have several alternatives.
Synonyms
substitute,
choice,
other,
option,
preference,
recourse
in the sense of choice
Definition
an alternative action or possibility
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone.
Synonyms
option,
say,
alternative
in the sense of expedient
Definition
something that achieves a particular purpose
I reduced my spending by the simple expedient of destroying my credit cards.
Synonyms
means,
measure,
scheme,
method,
resource,
resort,
device,
manoeuvre,
expediency,
stratagem,
contrivance,
stopgap,
backstop
Nearby words of
recourse
recording
recount
recoup
recourse
recover
recovery
recreation
Synonyms of 'recourse'
recourse
Explore 'recourse' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of resort
Definition
the last possible course of action open to a person
the option of force as a last resort
Synonyms
course,
hope,
chance,
alternative,
possibility,
expedient
in the sense of resource
Definition
a means of doing something
She is willing to use every resource to win an argument.