1
as in to repair
to put into good shape or working order again
that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to recover
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness
she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to heal
to restore to a healthy condition
mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to compensate
to make up for (an offense)
the proverb "least said, soonest mended" should be heeded by anyone tempted to angrily blurt out things they really don't mean
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better
everyone's written her off as a liar and a thief, but I say it's never too late to mend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to cure
to bring about recovery from
the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 mend
The feud between King Charles and Prince Harry was starting to feel like it could be mended, after reports that the two were set to meet in Harry’s latest UK visit.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2025
The country’s defensive shields against disease are shattering, in ways that could take decades, even generations, to mend.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
The current trajectory risks a split that would be difficult to mend, to the great detriment of both countries.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Rather than attempt to mend relations with the US, Maduro has dug in his heels by cozying up to one of its biggest competitors, China.
—Andrew Raine, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mend
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2025
The country’s defensive shields against disease are shattering, in ways that could take decades, even generations, to mend.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
The current trajectory risks a split that would be difficult to mend, to the great detriment of both countries.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Rather than attempt to mend relations with the US, Maduro has dug in his heels by cozying up to one of its biggest competitors, China.
—Andrew Raine, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
-
Research by John Gottman and colleagues shows that the most stable couples are those who can repair quickly after a rupture, within three minutes of a conflict, to be precise, so as to pre-emptively stop the conflict from rupturing into an uncontrollable one.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Inspired by oysters, the new glue is designed to repair broken bones quickly without the need for metal plates, screws, or big surgeries.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to the World Meteorological Organization, the ozone layer is on track to recover to 1980 levels by 2040 globally, by 2045 in the Arctic, and by 2066 over Antarctica.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This ability to recover instantly gives the MAV a major advantage.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The glue is also biodegradable, meaning the body absorbs it as the bone heals, so no second surgery is needed to remove implants.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Marty then catches up with each member of Spinal Tap, who are still healing up from their concert wounds and are back at their old jobs when the film started.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Most available positions are informal, poorly compensated and offer little stability or room for career growth.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
That’s the extent to which Netzer was considered the key man beforehand, but his poor form eventually cost him a place in the West German starting XI, and the side compensated for his absence through discipline and energy rather than flair.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Canales’ first year came with little-to-no expectations, and the team improved three games from rock bottom (2-15 in 2023).—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once cured, the Cantabrian anchovies are packed in Spanish olive oil.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Yellowing can happen with some topcoats when they’re cured, giving nails an unwanted, slightly off-color tint.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Build systems and products that directly address and fix those harms.—
Brandon Aversano,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Yet none of this new global reality means that things are now fixed.—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Woodruff missed all last year and the first half of this season rehabilitating from shoulder surgery.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
While Madea rehabilitates her co-prisoners, her family on the outside struggles with the usual family issues.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share