Definition of amendnext
1
2
3
as in to reform
to change one's behavior or character for the better the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amend differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amend are correct, emend, rectify, redress, reform, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of amend?

The words correct and amend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

When can emend be used instead of amend?

In some situations, the words emend and amend are roughly equivalent. However, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When could rectify be used to replace amend?

While in some cases nearly identical to amend, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

Where would redress be a reasonable alternative to amend?

The meanings of redress and amend largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When might reform be a better fit than amend?

Although the words reform and amend have much in common, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

In what contexts can remedy take the place of amend?

While the synonyms remedy and amend are close in meaning, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When would revise be a good substitute for amend?

The words revise and amend can be used in similar contexts, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amend The Promoting Authenticity with Influencer Disclaimers Act would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act to require labels on some posts from influencers paid for by political committees. Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 July 2026 If Google can amend its complaint to argue that rights holders directly authorized Google to use its anti-scraping technology to prevent unauthorized access to content, then Google may be able to block a very limited amount of SerpApi’s scraping. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 Lofton texted that the returns needed to be amended and referred questions to Brookins. Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026 At Tamera’s college, an organization called Students for Equality Everywhere, or SEE, wants to amend the school’s code of conduct so that calliagnosia is mandatory. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for amend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amend
Verb
  • With the aim of producing an addition 200,000 degrees beyond the 1 million already projected for 2030, the university set goals to improve its graduation rates.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • Given the tools on show in the macOS beta closely match those on iOS, coupled with Apple’s push to unify as many of its operating system features, there will be some cross-platform data to improve this part of Siri AI.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • High jump is a technical event — while physiology matters, the winner tends to be decided by who can best correct their errors as the bar goes up.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • The difficult part was measuring the distortions accurately enough such that the correcting heat could be applied with exact precision.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • The original duo last performed together in 2016, and Roxette reformed in 2024 with Gessle and Swedish singer Lena Philipsson.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 July 2026
  • Merz took office less than 15 months ago with pledges to reform and turn around Germany’s economy, Europe’s biggest, after years of stagnation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • For Greece, the investment is part of a broader effort to modernize its armed forces and enhance deterrence capabilities in a region marked by persistent security concerns.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
  • While visual effects can enhance martial arts on screen, Wu argues that authentic filmmaking still depends on performance.
    Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • If messages pile up or coworkers rush, don’t let their urgency rewrite your whole system.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
  • Detmers is under relatively inexpensive cost control Owner Steve Cohen has already hinted about being less aggressive in free agency this winter, when the guidelines concerning spending in the sport will be rewritten.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • The market is no longer waiting for Bitcoin holders to suddenly behave like debit-card users.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Or when some man behaving like a degenerate gambler plods into Chelsea Gray’s DMs with a disgusting slur.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • How the Chiefs will remedy the problems that ended their 10-year playoff run — including three Super Bowl victories — begins later this week.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
  • The government and its private sector partners who are eager to onboard as many new little customers as possible have at least taken the opportunity to try to remedy the lack of basic financial education among American children and their caregivers.
    Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amend. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on amend

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster