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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

Example 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 Crown Crafts has amended its financing agreement with CIT, waiving certain compliance requirements and adjusting credit availability terms. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2025 Conduct a soil test and amend soil as needed, ideally several months prior to planting. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025 The bill would ban biological males from participating on girls’ school sports teams while also amending federal law to specify that student athletes must participate in school sports that coincide with their birth gender. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025 Even the new constitution of Hungary has been amended 14 times by Fidesz without public debate—something impossible in the United States, where constitutional amendments have been comparatively rare, requiring not only broad congressional approval but a laborious process of state ratification. BÁlint Madlovics, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for amend 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amend
Verb
  • Founded in 1996, ZERO Prostate Cancer has been dedicated to improving and saving lives affected by prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness and support.
    Caché McClay, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • David Gibbs, the chief executive officer of Yum Brands, said in a statement that bringing employees together would improve the company culture and hone talent.
    Victor Mather, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The DoJ has now corrected the error in subsequent legal filings.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Editor’s note: Bob Stark’s title has been corrected to global head of enablement. Send me a secure tip.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Weta also worked through the complexities of transforming Ross into Red Hulk, including bones breaking, reforming, driving under the skin, vein detail, and clothes ripping and disintegrating.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Like many government agencies in the second Trump administration, Gabbard's focus is on reforming ODNI, which was created in response to intelligence failures leading up to 9/11.
    Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The OnePlus Open is a sleek, lightweight, foldable phone with a hinge that's designed with fewer parts and premium materials, feels sturdy, and folds flat, enhancing usability.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The phenomenon will visible to the naked eye from Earth’s Western Hemisphere, but will be enhanced with telescopes and binoculars, NASA says.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Players and coaches change teams, teams redesign uniforms and owners rewrite the rules.
    Michael Merschel/ American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
  • 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.
    WADE BROCK Special to the Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Though the old stadium was closed in 2008, the new stadium was built across the street, and the wind behaves similarly there.
    Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Rich and poor characters alike behave badly on the show—but only the former expect to get away with their sins, and usually do.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Donovan, the team president, suggests that some of the assessments were unfair but says that the Chiefs’ leadership took the report card seriously and has taken action to remedy players’ concerns.
    Justin Birnbaum, Forbes, 7 Feb. 2025
  • There have been some missteps , but the company has managed to remedy them and generally keep customers happy Who Is This Investment For?
    StockStory Team, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near amend

Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amend. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

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