reform

1 to make better in behavior or character <volunteers at a camp that tries to reform troubled youths> Synonyms habilitate, reclaim, redeem, regenerate, rehabilitate Related Words reeducate; amend, improve, refine; cleanse, purify, restore Near Antonyms abase, canker, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lower, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp

2 to change one's behavior or character for the better <an alcoholic who's been trying to reform ever since he was arrested for drunk driving> Synonyms amend, mend, shape up, straighten (up or out) Related Words behave, regenerate; better, improve Phrases clean up one's act Near Antonyms backslide, regress

3 to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from <he had better reform his ways if he wants any of us to trust him> Synonyms amend, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, correct, remedyRelated Words redraft, redraw, restyle, revise, rework, rewrite; blue-pencil, cut, shorten; redress, right; ameliorate, better, improve; perfect, polish, touch up; fix, mend, repair; adjust, modulate, regulate; alter, change, modifyNear Antonyms damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, spoil; aggravate, worsen