amend

[ uh-mend ]

/ əˈmɛnd /

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See synonyms for: amend / amended / amends / amendable on Thesaurus.com

verb (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.

to change for the better; improve: to amend one's ways.

to remove or correct faults in; rectify.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become better by reforming oneself: He amends day by day.

OTHER WORDS FOR amend

2 ameliorate, better.

3 remedy, correct.

See synonyms for amend on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR amend

2 worsen.

See antonyms for amend on Thesaurus.com

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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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

synonym study for amend

3. 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 WORDS FROM amend

a·mend·a·ble, adjectivea·mend·er, nounnon·a·mend·a·ble, adjectivere·a·mend, verb

un·a·mend·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·mend·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use amend in a sentence

It asked voters to amend the city code to allow commercial marijuana retailers in non-residential zones and marijuana deliveries and cultivation in the city.
North County Report: Where Voters Landed (Hint: All Over the Place!)|Kayla Jimenez|November 12, 2020|Voice of San Diego
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that 58% of Americans favor amending the Constitution to require that the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide wins, while 40% prefer to keep the current system.
The U.S.’s Electoral College is an epic design fail|claychandler|November 3, 2020|Fortune
There are also several state and local referendums, including on whether to amend Virginia’s Constitution to allow for the creation of a 16-member commission tasked with redrawing election district boundaries.
Virginia voting guide: What to know about early voting, mail-in ballots|Antonio Olivo, Patricia Sullivan|October 28, 2020|Washington Post
He amended legislation to increase earned-sentencing credits for prisoners, proposing a six-month delay to give the Department of Corrections time to implement the change.
Ban on chokeholds, no-knock warrants among bills Northam signed into law|Laura Vozzella|October 28, 2020|Washington Post

Many Democrats agree the law needs amending, but have not been pushing for the same sweeping changes.
Facebook, Google, Twitter CEOs clash with Congress in pre-election showdown|Tony Romm, Rachel Lerman, Cat Zakrzewski, Heather Kelly, Elizabeth Dwoskin|October 28, 2020|Washington Post
So what the anti-Citizens United movement really needs to do is something even harder than amending the Constitution.
Undo Citizens United? We’d Only Scratch the Surface|Jedediah Purdy|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here's one amending a surprising quote from the editor of The New Yorker.
Best New York Times Corrections Ever: 'The Shining,' Twilight Sparkle & More|Josh Dzieza|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Hatch is found guilty of violating his probation by not amending his tax returns or paying his taxes.
Richard Hatch Can't Win|Andy Dehnart|May 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“Any talk of amending the Constitution is just wrong,” she said in a White House press briefing.
A GOP Blunder on Immigration|Mark McKinnon|August 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The problem with both these solutions is that they depend on amending the Constitution.
Justice Stevens Should Quit Now|Adam Winkler|April 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In an amending Special Order of 20th July 1893, the age was raised, but the phrase was retained.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
"You can't govern a great empire by amending and repealing the Acts of your predecessors," said the doctor.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
Does it require of a public man to refuse to concur in amending laws, because they passed against his consent?
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
Americans boast of making their own laws, and of amending them whenever circumstances render it necessary.
The Duty of Disobedience to the Fugitive Slave Act|Lydia Maria Child
Heated discussions took place over the refusal of the Government to disclose the details of the Amending Bill.
Mr. Punch's History of Modern England Vol. IV of IV.|Charles L. Graves

British Dictionary definitions for amend

amend

/ (əˈmɛnd) /

verb (tr)

to improve; change for the better

to remove faults from; correct

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

Derived forms of amend

amendable, adjectiveamender, noun

Word Origin for amend

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

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

amend

OTHER WORDS FOR amend

OPPOSITES FOR amend

Origin of amend

synonym study for amend

OTHER WORDS FROM amend

Words related to amend

How to use amend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for amend

Derived forms of amend

Word Origin for amend