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as in to reform
to change one's behavior or character for the better the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amend differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amend are correct, emend, rectify, redress, reform, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of amend?

The words correct and amend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

When can emend be used instead of amend?

In some situations, the words emend and amend are roughly equivalent. However, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When could rectify be used to replace amend?

While in some cases nearly identical to amend, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

Where would redress be a reasonable alternative to amend?

The meanings of redress and amend largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When might reform be a better fit than amend?

Although the words reform and amend have much in common, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

In what contexts can remedy take the place of amend?

While the synonyms remedy and amend are close in meaning, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When would revise be a good substitute for amend?

The words revise and amend can be used in similar contexts, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amend Centennial State voters on Tuesday will decide whether to approve Proposition 127, which would amend Colorado statutes by forbidding the hunting or trapping of bobcats, lynx and mountain lions. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024 If drainage is a problem, amend soil with compost and plant on mounds or berms. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024 Advertisement The council voted 11 to 0 to order the Housing Department and city attorney to draft recommendations for an ordinance amending just cause rules to remove the substantial remodel clause. Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 This story was amended to make clear the American Academy of Actuaries did not advocate for an increase on tax contributions. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amend 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amend
Verb
  • To improve insulin sensitivity: Diabetes is a huge threat.
    Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The tragedy put a face on the problem, prompting citizens to take independent steps to improve pedestrian safety in some neighborhoods while waiting for public officials to take a more holistic response.
    Daryl Perry, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Palace staffers also can contact rota reporters to get simple errors or false reports corrected.
    Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • As with any system upgrade, problems with the data were discovered that had to be corrected before early voting began on Oct. 16.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Others, such as Brazil and India, work with Russia as members of BRICS but want to reform rather than renounce the existing global order.
    Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
  • After that debacle, Congress reformed election laws to keep itself out of the business of picking Presidents.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area.
    Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • The Mach 1 boots also use a polyurethane plastic with a thickness adjusted to enhance vibration damping and stability.
    Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
  • This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Go down 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), and the hot, dense gas begins to behave strangely.
    Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
  • And, as today’s email reminds us, there’s no reason to expect Trump to behave any differently if elected to a second term.
    Zach Everson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • County officials have been working in the last year to remedy that issue and ensure a smooth 2024 primary and general.
    Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The meta moment acknowledges the show’s greatest ill at this point in time, but doesn’t excuse or remedy it in the slightest.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near amend

Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amend. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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