1
2
3
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 Originally filed in October, the lawsuit was amended on Dec. 8 to include Carter's name alongside Combs. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024 Bella Vista Planning and Development Department staff recently drafted an ordinance amending city code to require the permits for repairs and installations at the request of City Council member Larry Wilms. Samuel Clanton, arkansasonline.com, 7 Dec. 2024 During the interview, Young called on Mayor Scott and the Baltimore City Council to amend the city charter to mandate better oversight of the fund. Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 7 Dec. 2024 The Charter Commission hearing drew comments from three audience members, two of whom were opposed to amending the charter and one of whom was supportive. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amend 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amend
Verb
  • His work focuses on how art and technology may improve learning settings.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The Pakistani publishing industry will not improve until Pakistanis start buying original books en masse.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Benetton.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The vague text was introduced into the law by Congress in April, with Democrats in the Senate promising to correct the issue later this year.
    Dell Cameron, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The leading group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, known as HTS, traces its roots to the terror organizations Islamic State and Al Qaeda but claims to have reformed.
    Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The fiscally conservative National Taxpayers Union Foundation praised Trump's choice, saying Long could help reform the IRS.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • On the other hand, bright and vibrant colors work to enhance the natural undertones and can even have a brightening effect.
    Jessica Fields, Essence, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The 45,000 square-foot command post comes after the city set a $70 million budget to the precinct in 2018 to speed up response times and enhance the relationship between the community and police.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 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.
    Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Trump officials could have sifted through the comments, rewritten the rule and published it as a final rule.
    Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder affecting how people communicate, interact with others, learn and behave.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Waymo — and indeed the entire autonomous vehicle industry — has been under intense scrutiny, especially around how its driverless cars behave around police, fire, and other emergency responders.
    Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Ahead of the aerospace company are more ground tests and potential modifications to the vehicle to remedy its propulsion system woes and prepare it for routine spaceflight, NASA officials have said.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Budget and staff cuts were not enough to remedy the situation, according to information on the private, Catholic university's website.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 19 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near amend

Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amend. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on amend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!