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

• amendable adjective
• amender noun
• 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

Israel then amended the law at the start of the Gaza war.

Read more on Barron's

Smaller companies can amend old tax returns to claim the deferred deductions immediately.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Legislation pertaining to special school children is outdated and needs to be amended," she said.

Read more on BBC

Weeks after Singh’s arrest, prosecutors have amended their complaint to reflect that the suspected DUI allegation could not be proved.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Pelosi was one of the most vocal and early proponents of Proposition 50, which amends the state constitution to give state Democrats the power through 2030 to redraw California’s congressional districts in their favor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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