amend
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from (a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure.
Congress may amend the proposed tax bill.
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to change for the better; improve.
to amend one's ways.
-
to remove or correct faults in; rectify.
- Synonyms:
- correct, remedy, better, ameliorate
- Antonyms:
- worsen
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to improve; change for the better
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to remove faults from; correct
-
to alter or revise (legislation, a constitution, etc) by formal procedure
Synonym Usage
Amend, emend both mean to improve by correcting or by freeing from error. Amend is the general term, used of any such correction in detail: to amend spelling, punctuation, grammar. Emend usually applies to the correction of a text in the process of editing or preparing for publication; it implies improvement in the sense of greater accuracy: He emended the text of the play by restoring the original reading.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of amend
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English amenden, from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre “to correct,” equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + mend(a) “blemish” + -āre infinitive suffix; see e- 1
Explanation
When you amend something, you correct or improve it. If you confused your audience when you gave your speech, don't be afraid to amend what you said. Amend can also describe adding amendments to an official document, such as a constitution or law. If politicians in your state want to address the growing number of home foreclosures, they might amend the state constitution to include restrictions intended to reduce foreclosures. Amend comes from the Latin word emendare, meaning "to correct, free from fault."
Vocabulary lists containing amend
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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Inside Out & Back Again
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Restart
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This Anthropic revenue opportunity comes as Microsoft and OpenAI amend their relationship to give each party “flexibility to pursue new opportunities.”
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
It will also amend a 2024 act so that it exempts all road refrigerant appliances used to transport goods from new leak requirements for HFCs, it said.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Exxon hasn’t sought to amend its bylaws to limit shareholder resolutions, but it hasn’t ruled out the option.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
While the OpenAI boss asked to amend his answer to "yes", his character remained under a harsh spotlight throughout the trial.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
I doubt that trying to amend the Constitution would actually succeed, but it may be valuable to aspire to it.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
