Amend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈmend/

Meaning & Definition of Amend

Amend (verb)

  1. to put right; especially, to make emendations in (something, such as a text)
  2. to change or modify (something) for the better, improve
  3. to alter especially in phraseology; especially, to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition

Amend (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make better

    "trying to amend the situation of the striking workers by supplying them with minimal food supplies"

    similar: ameliorate, 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

  2. to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

    "the Bill of Rights was adopted in an effort to amend a constitution that seemed to many to be deficient in guaranteeing individual rights"

    similar: correct, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, reform, remedy
    related: redraft, redraw, restyle, revise, rework, rewrite, blue-pencil, cut, shorten, redress, right, ameliorate, better, improve, perfect, polish, touch up, fix, mend, repair, adjust, modulate, regulate, alter, change, modify
    near: damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, spoil, aggravate, worsen

  3. to change one's behavior or character for the better

    "the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend"

    similar: mend, reform, shape up, straighten (up or out), clean up one's act
    related: behave, regenerate, better, improve
    near: backslide, regress

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Amend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Amend:

ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade, correct, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, reform, remedy, mend, shape up, straighten (up or out), clean up one's act

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Amend

Words with the opposite meaning of Amend:

worsen

Related Words for Amend

remediate, edit, fine-tune, redraft, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, revamp, revise, rework, beef (up), boost, fortify, intensify, reinforce, strengthen, fine, hone, polish, retouch, touch up, redraw, restyle, rewrite, blue-pencil, cut, shorten, redress, right, fix

Near Antonyms of Amend

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

Word Forms of Amend

Inflections: amended, amending, amends

Derived words: amender (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Amend

Middle English, from Anglo-French amender, modification of Latin emendare, from e, ex out + menda fault; akin to Latin mendax lying, mendicus beggar, and perhaps to Sanskrit mindā physical defect

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Amend

Frequently Asked Questions about Amend

What does "Amend" mean?

"Amend" means to put right; especially, to make emendations in (something, such as a text). As a verb, it is defined as: to put right; especially, to make emendations in (something, such as a text). It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Amend"?

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

What are different ways to say "Amend"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Amend". Common alternatives include ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine and upgrade.

What is the opposite of "Amend"?

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

How do you use "Amend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Amend" in a sentence: "trying to amend the situation of the striking workers by supplying them with minimal food supplies"; "the Bill of Rights was adopted in an effort to amend a constitution that seemed to many to be deficient in guaranteeing individual rights"; "the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend".

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

"Amend" is a verb.

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

As a C2-level word, "Amend" 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 "Amend"?

"Amend" is pronounced /ə-ˈmend/.