amends

American  

[uh-mendz] / əˈmɛndz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. reparation or compensation for a loss, damage, or injury of any kind; recompense.

   Synonyms:

   restitution, redress

2. Obsolete. improvement; recovery, as of health.

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idioms

1. make amends, to compensate, as for an injury, loss, or insult.

   I tried to make amends for the misunderstanding by sending her flowers.

amends British  

/ əˈmɛndz /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) recompense or compensation given or gained for some injury, insult, etc

   to make amends

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amends More Idioms  

1. see make amends.

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Etymology

Origin of amends

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English amendes, from Middle French, plural of amende “reparation,” noun derivative of amender “to repair, correct errors in, improve the condition of”; amend

Example Sentences

This season of “Summer House” has shown Wilson and Miller making amends to continue their friendship.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Those that do so, he said in an interview, could expect his help to “make amends with the federal government and us.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Diego Simeone's side host Espanyol later on, aiming to make amends after last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Rayo.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

He apologized at a New Hampshire synagogue, and ahead of a second presidential bid four years later, he worked to make amends with the Jewish community.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

The fact that our lack of care and concern may have been, at times, unintentional or unconscious does not mitigate our crime—if we refuse, when given the chance, to make amends.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• apology
• redress
• reparation
• restitution