reform

1 of 4

verb (1)

re·​form ri-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce reform (audio)
reformed; reforming; reforms

transitive verb

1
a
: to put or change into an improved form or condition
b
: to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses
2
: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action
3
: to induce or cause to abandon evil ways
reform a drunkard
4
a
: to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking
b
: to produce (gasoline, gas, etc.) by cracking

intransitive verb

: to become changed for the better
reformability noun
reformable adjective

reform

2 of 4

noun

1
: amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved
2
: removal or correction of errors or of an abuse or a wrong
3
capitalized : reform judaism

reform

3 of 4

adjective

1
: relating to or favoring reform
All of the great American reform movements—from civil rights to child-labor laws—started far from Washington, D.C. In state legislatures and town halls …William Greider
2
Reform : of, relating to, or practicing Reform Judaism
Reform Jews, by the end of the nineteenth century, had adopted the custom of rising to their feet to pronounce the Shema in unison.Jonathan D. Sarna

re-form

4 of 4

verb (2)

re-formed; re-forming; re-forms

transitive verb

: to form again

intransitive verb

: to take form again
the ice re-formed on the lake
re-formation noun
Choose the Right Synonym for reform

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong.

correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes

amend a law

, reform implying drastic change

plans to reform the court system

, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples of reform in a Sentence

Verb (1) The program is designed to reform prisoners. They want to reform campaign spending. The laws need to be reformed. The program is designed to help former gang members who are trying to reform. Noun A group of senators are calling for reform of the nation's health-care system. He has proposed a list of political reforms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In the climate sphere, the Bridgetown Initiative is looking at ways to reform climate finance. Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Mark Geragos, the Menendez brothers' lawyer, called Erik and Lyle model prisoners who worked tirelessly to reform themselves with no expectation they'd be released. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
Before the October 7 terror attacks, Netanyahu and his government tried to push through a controversial judicial reform which would give much more power over courts to the government – potentially enabling Netanyahu to influence his own trial. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024 The country has made changes to introduce high-skill immigration from outside the EU, but sweeping reforms here are unlikely in a hot political environment. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
In a letter, 140 ophthalmologists raised concerns about a rising number of patients with severe eye injuries resulting from being shot with metal pellets and rubber bullets, according to pro-reform Iranian news site Sobhema and Iran International as well as other sites on social media. Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2022 Three of the seven candidates in Iran’s presidential election dropped out days before the June 18 vote, leaving just one pro-reform contender and helping hardline frontrunner Ebrahim Raisi consolidate his support. Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg.com, 16 June 2021
Verb
While environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for the system to develop further by the end of this week, the NHC said a tropical depression or storm could still re-form in a few days as the system moves slowly northward over the central subtropical Atlantic. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024 According to a 2013 article in Autoweek, Barris re-formed the fins, changed the grille and gave the headlights a gothic look. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reform 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reform.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French refurmer, from Latin reformare, from re- + formare to form, from forma form

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of reform was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near reform

Cite this Entry

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reform. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

reform

1 of 3 verb
re·​form ri-ˈfȯ(ə)rm How to pronounce reform (audio)
1
: to make better by removal of faults
reform a prisoner
2
: to correct or improve one's own behavior or habits
reformable adjective

reform

2 of 3 noun
1
: improvement in what is bad
2
: a removal or correction of an abuse, a wrong, or errors

re-form

3 of 3 verb
(ˈ)rē-ˈfȯ(ə)rm
: to form again
the ice re-formed on the lake

Legal Definition

reform

transitive verb
re·​form ri-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce reform (audio)
1
: to put (a writing) into a corrected form that more accurately reflects the agreement of the parties
allows a writing signed by mistake to be reformedW. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
compare ratify
2
: to induce or cause to abandon wrongful or harmful ways
a reformed drug dealer

intransitive verb

: to become changed for the better

More from Merriam-Webster on reform

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