amend

[uh-mend]

verb (used with object)

1. 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.

2. to change for the better; improve.

   to amend one's ways.

3. to remove or correct faults in; rectify.

   Synonyms: correct, remedy, better, ameliorate
   Antonyms: worsen

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become better by reforming oneself.

   He amends day by day.

amend

/ əˈmɛnd /

verb

1. to improve; change for the better

2. to remove faults from; correct

3. to alter or revise (legislation, a constitution, etc) by formal procedure

Other Word Forms

• amender noun
• amendable adjective
• nonamendable adjective
• reamend verb
• unamendable adjective
• unamending adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amend¹

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; e- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of amend¹

C13: from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre to _emend

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

It originally called for policyholders suffering total losses to get 100% of their personal property coverage limits up front, but it was opposed by the insurance industry and amended.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The plan, heavily amended by Israel and presented to Hamas by the Qatari prime minister and Egypt’s spy chief, looked nothing like what Hayya had been led to expect, officials familiar with the discussions said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I was there in some ways to make amends for the damage that we have done,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Clarification 19 August: This article was amended to make clear that in mentioning Letby's defenders we were referring to those experts working with her defence team.

Read more on BBC

If We, the People, today think the Fourteenth Amendment is a mistake, we are free to do what Lincoln’s generation did and amend the Constitution.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alter 
• enhance 
• lift 
• modify 
• rectify 
• revise