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Synonyms

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

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

After heartbreak in their individual events, the British pair made amends with an astonishing performance to add Olympic gold to the World Championship title they won in 2023.

From BBC

Repealing it requires that the legislature pass two identical resolutions to amend the Constitution in successive sessions separated by an election and, ultimately, voter approval in a statewide referendum.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company advised shareholders to not take any action now regarding Paramount’s amended tender offer.

From The Wall Street Journal

The amended guidelines will take effect from 20 February and apply to major platforms including Meta, YouTube and X. They will also apply to AI-generated content.

From BBC

The miner on Wednesday said its board has approved several growth projects and that it has amended a streaming agreement with Canadian precious metals company Triple Flag at the Northparkes mine in Australia.

From The Wall Street Journal