reform 1 of 2

1
as in to rehabilitate
to make better in behavior or character volunteers at a sanctuary that tries to reform dogs with behavior problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better a man who's been trying to reform ever since he got fired for missing too many days of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

reform

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reform differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reform are amend, correct, emend, rectify, redress, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for reform?

Amend, reform, and 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 reform?

The meanings of correct and reform largely overlap; however, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to reform?

Although the words emend and reform have much in common, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than reform?

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

rectify a misguided policy

When would redress be a good substitute for reform?

The words redress and reform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When can remedy be used instead of reform?

While the synonyms remedy and reform 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 might revise be a better fit than reform?

The synonyms revise and reform are sometimes interchangeable, 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 reform
Verb
However, these reforms face significant political and institutional obstacles. Greg Licholai Md, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Egyptian Minister of Investment and Trade Hassan El Khatib told CNBC's Chery Kang on the sidelines of the forum on Tuesday that the country aspires to be in the top 20 in business competitiveness by 2030, following a major reform program launched last year to spur private sector development. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
Noun
Grant is quick to acknowledge how his own behavior as a customer was reformed by his temporary fall from the laptop class. Casey Cep, New Yorker, 28 June 2025 Congress has its own ideas about how to reform FEMA. Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for reform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform
Verb
  • The chances of Combs’ image itself being significantly rehabilitated seems slim, given that violent, abusive behavior was caught on camera and aired to millions of people around the world.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
  • More to come: Findlay Flats and Grant Park Nearly a dozen historic buildings across Vine and Elder Streets near the new community center will be rehabilitated into 45 mixed-income apartments.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Built on the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 8GB of RAM as the Quest 3, the 3S boasts high-fidelity hand tracking, full-color passthrough and improved thermal efficiency.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 1 July 2025
  • True innovation involves measurable outcomes, not just activity—scaling solutions, improving efficiency or creating value for users.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But a provision tucked inside the Senate Republican bill to enact President Trump's second-term agenda would force the USPS to sell off the brand new trucks and cancel or significantly amend the contract for the remaining 58,800 that are due to be delivered over the next 10 years.
    Tracy J. Wholf June 24, CBS News, 24 June 2025
  • Wilson said amending the city’s sign ordinance to allow digital billboards could also open San Diego up legally to other types of advertising the city has prohibited.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • However, Councilmember Paul Dillon proposed another amendment last week that eliminated the notice period and clarified the definition of obstruction.
    Tim Clouser, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
  • Senators will engage in what's being dubbed a vote-a-rama, beginning this morning where Senators have the opportunity to present amendments, which could in turn lead to hours of votes.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • This promo from Caesars Sportsbook is easy to redeem.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
  • And once a company goes public, users can redeem their tokens for the market equivalent in a stablecoin.
    Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Brazilian dystopian series 3% is another show that follows people who are struggling financially and enter a competition to better their lives.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Kate Hudson considered being emancipated from her parents, Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, to better her Hollywood career.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Rework alone—correcting things that have simply been done wrong—accounts for 12% of the cost of projects, on average.
    Kathleen Kewley, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • While some corrected her that the event is next week on July 13th, many others took it as a tease that she will be involved in the show.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • In addition, revisions to the RAP plan would allow married borrowers to exclude their spouse’s income by filing separate tax returns – a significant change given that the prior version of the senate bill had excluded this language.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The program has undergone revisions from involving facade improvement grants to include various other upgrades over the years.
    Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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