meliorate

American  

[meel-yuh-reyt, mee-lee-uh-] / ˈmil yəˌreɪt, ˈmi li ə- /

verb (used with or without object)

meliorated, meliorating

1. ameliorate.

---

meliorate British  

/ ˈmiːlɪəˌreɪt, ˈmiːlɪərətɪv /

verb

1. a variant of ameliorate

---

Other Word Forms

• meliorable adjective
• meliorative adjective
• meliorator noun
• unmeliorated adjective

Etymology

Origin of meliorate

1545–55; < Latin meliōrātus (past participle of meliōrāre ) to make better, improve, equivalent to meliōr- (stem of melior ) better + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“I consider such easy vehicles of knowledge, more happily calculated than any other, to preserve the liberty, stimulate the industry and meliorate the morals of an enlightened and free People.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2021

I have no interest distinct from that which has a tendency to meliorate the situation of mankind.

From The Writings Of Thomas Paine, Volume III. 1791-1804 by Paine, Thomas

They refine the mind, they elevate views, they meliorate passions and keep alive affections.

From Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 5 November 1848 by Various

There is room enough in this country for us; and if they be our friends, let them meliorate our condition here.

From Thoughts on African Colonization by Garrison, William Lloyd

Let us never relax in our exertions to promote the emancipation, and meliorate the condition of slaves, till every human being in these United States shall equally enjoy, all the blessings of our free Institutions.

From The Journal of Negro History, Volume 6, 1921 by Various