mend

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as in to compensate
to make up for (an offense) the proverb "least said, soonest mended" should be heeded by anyone tempted to angrily blurt out things they really don't mean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better everyone's written her off as a liar and a thief, but I say it's never too late to mend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mend are patch, rebuild, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is patch a more appropriate choice than mend?

Although the words patch and mend have much in common, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

Where would rebuild be a reasonable alternative to mend?

The words rebuild and mend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When can repair be used instead of mend?

The words repair and mend can be used in similar contexts, but repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

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 mend The South Korea setting and its random cuisine scene add dashes of originality as believed-to-be-dead spy David Jung (Kim) tries to mend a broken relationship with his daughter Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), now the top assassin for Caddis. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025 The leaders have since mended their relationship. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 Anxious to mend their relationship, Jay agrees to go with her to therapy. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 The franchise has alienated its stars before, like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, but has since mended those relationships. Trevor Squire, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • As the body attempts to repair this damage, the healing process may not be complete or smooth, resulting in scars.
    Katlein Franca, Health, 8 Sep. 2025
  • After winning the High-A Northwest League pitcher of the year award last year with High-A Spokane, Sullivan underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his right hip.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An officer, named as Officer A in the latest release, was injured in the shootout and is currently recovering in the hospital.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The rally ended with Nick Bosa pushing Seattle offensive tackle Abe Lucas into Darnold, forcing a fumble, which Bosa recovered.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The woman, who doctors said had a low chance of survival, was said to have healed miraculously after praying for Acutis to intercede, according to Vatican News.
    Lauren Costantino September 6, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Typically, it’s recommended to wait four to eight weeks after a biopsy before proceeding to surgery to give your prostate and the surrounding tissue time to heal first.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Pixel’s Magic Editor leverages generative AI tools, which can remove objects in the background, alter lighting, and realistically change the entire mood of a phone (a bright middary sun can easily be compensated for).
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Efficient, neat, always available as a means of compensating for her (completely justified) fear of not being a brilliant enough copywriter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Canales’ first year came with little-to-no expectations, and the team improved three games from rock bottom (2-15 in 2023).
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tossing Tommy Nance into leverage situations doesn’t cure all.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.
    Time, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Players like Lauren Hemp, Greenwood, Vivianne Miedema and Bunny Shaw returning from injury (the former three all featured at the Euros) should go a long way towards fixing their form.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The only way to fix etching is by buffing the scratches out.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lest one forget regulatory tailwinds; the European Union Nature Restoration Law obliges EU member states to rehabilitate 20 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The true cost of a city destroyed and then saturated by munitions might not be measured in the number of shells fired, dollars spent to rehabilitate, or even lives.
    Michael Jerome Plunkett September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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