amend

American  

[uh-mend] / əˈmɛnd /

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become better by reforming oneself.

   He amends day by day.

amend British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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

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

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; 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."

Example Sentences

Legislators could amend the state Constitution to make sheriffs appointed instead of elected — the same as police chiefs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

It’s better to extend the filing date than to amend a return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

They meant to raise the bar of what it would take to amend it and to get rid of it and to change it.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

EU member states and the European Parliament introduced the ban as part of the proposals to amend the bloc's comprehensive rules on AI.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 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

Related Words

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