Ameliorate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt/ ame·lio·rate

Meaning & Definition of Ameliorate

Ameliorate (verb)

  1. to make better or more tolerable
  2. to grow better

Ameliorate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make better

    "social legislation that must be given credit for ameliorating the lot of millions of deprived people"

    similar: amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade
    related: correct, emend, rectify, reform, remediate, remedy, edit, fine-tune, redraft, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, revamp, revise, rework, beef (up), boost, fortify, intensify, reinforce, strengthen, fine, hone, polish, retouch, touch up
    opposite: worsen
    near: damage, endamage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, spoil, tarnish, vitiate, blemish, blight, deface, disfigure, flaw, mar, diminish, lessen, lower, reduce

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ameliorate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ameliorate:

amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ameliorate

Words with the opposite meaning of Ameliorate:

worsen

Related Words for Ameliorate

correct, emend, rectify, reform, remediate, remedy, edit, fine-tune, redraft, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, revamp, revise, rework, beef (up), boost, fortify, intensify, reinforce, strengthen, fine, hone, polish, retouch, touch up

Near Antonyms of Ameliorate

damage, endamage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, spoil, tarnish, vitiate, blemish, blight, deface, disfigure, flaw, mar, diminish, lessen, lower, reduce

Word Forms of Ameliorate

Inflections: ameliorated, ameliorating

Derived words: amelioration (noun), ameliorative (adjective), ameliorator (noun), amelioratory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Ameliorate

alteration (after French améliorer) of meliorate

First known use: 1653t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Ameliorate

Frequently Asked Questions about Ameliorate

What does "Ameliorate" mean?

"Ameliorate" means to make better or more tolerable. As a verb, it is defined as: to make better or more tolerable.

What is another word for "Ameliorate"?

Other words for "Ameliorate" include amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate and perfect. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ameliorate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ameliorate"?

There are 36 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ameliorate". Common alternatives include amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine and upgrade.

What is the opposite of "Ameliorate"?

Antonyms of "Ameliorate" include worsen. Near antonyms include damage, endamage, harm and hurt.

How do you use "Ameliorate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ameliorate" in a sentence: "social legislation that must be given credit for ameliorating the lot of millions of deprived people".

Is "Ameliorate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ameliorate" is a verb.

Is "Ameliorate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Ameliorate" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Ameliorate"?

"Ameliorate" is pronounced /ə-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as ame·lio·rate.