1
as in repairs
to put into good shape or working order again
that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recovers
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness
she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu
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3
as in heals
to restore to a healthy condition
mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again
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4
as in compensates
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
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5
as in improves
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
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6
as in cures
to bring about recovery from
the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mends
Nothing mends a friendship quite like an exorcism.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Mason Thames stars in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon as series protagonist Hiccup, a young Viking who mends a rift between his village and a group of dragons.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Last month, the Dutch social enterprise United Repair Centre (URC), which mends clothing from performancewear brands such as Patagonia, Decathlon, Arc’teryx and The North Face, opened its second international outpost in Paris.
—Fleur Britten, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
The money helps to keep its doors open, fund church programs and mends the spirit of its congregation, the church wrote.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Mason Thames stars in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon as series protagonist Hiccup, a young Viking who mends a rift between his village and a group of dragons.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Last month, the Dutch social enterprise United Repair Centre (URC), which mends clothing from performancewear brands such as Patagonia, Decathlon, Arc’teryx and The North Face, opened its second international outpost in Paris.
—Fleur Britten, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
The money helps to keep its doors open, fund church programs and mends the spirit of its congregation, the church wrote.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mends
Verb
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The inquiry usually starts by reviewing the CC&Rs to determine if the document answers the question regarding who maintains it and who repairs it — and the two responsibilities might not be placed on the same party.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
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Sleep is when the body repairs itself and the mind takes a brief vacation.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Morgan received high marks for signing veteran Rasheed Walker to a team-friendly contract (one year, $4 million) as a stopgap solution at left tackle while Ikem Ekwonu recovers from patellar tendon surgery.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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If a person recovers from the virus, there is also the chance the virus can hide out in certain parts of the body that are protected from the immune system — like in semen.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Because when an encounter — with a lover, a friend, a stranger or a new film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi — takes you to a place that transforms you, enlarges you and heals the hairline cracks where all the hope keeps leaking out, there is no such thing as too long spent there.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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As the regular market heals, FAIR Plan pricing must become actuarially sound as already required by law to lead customers towards better and cheaper coverage in the regular market.—
Patrick Wolff,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Although Emery has tailored a style which compensates for the possibility of creaking legs and a reduction in athleticism — Villa conserve energy very well, which has been critical in managing a European schedule — this cannot last forever.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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His payment of $74,330 will go into the Lacey Act Reward Fund, which compensates tipsters who report wildlife crimes, federal authorities said.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Traffic management will begin four hours before each match and continue up to four hours after, with residents divided on whether the requirement improves safety or creates an inconvenience.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
Operators might buy new server racks every couple of years as the technology improves.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Here come the Padres Nothing cures a team’s woes this season better than playing three games against the Angels.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Nothing cures a style rut quite like a little color blocking.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Like beans and peas, clover naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil and improves soil health and fertility over time.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
-
As a legume, crimson clover also fixes nitrogen in the soil, so this companion plant works double duty.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chester Leonard rehabilitates wounded bald eagles and other large raptors at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke.—
DANA HEDGPETH THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
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Berman rehabilitates rabbits that are abandoned, neglected, abused, and in danger of being euthanized.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mends. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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