amend

verb

ə-ˈmend 

amended; amending; amends

transitive verb

1

: to put right

especially : to make emendations in (something, such as a text)

amended the manuscript

2

a

: to change or modify (something) for the better : improve

amend the situation

b

: to alter especially in phraseology

especially : to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition

amend a constitution

intransitive verb

: to reform oneself

amender noun

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Amend vs. Emend

The question of whether to use amend or emend is a vexing one for many people, complicated by the fact that the words sound quite similar and have meanings that overlap to a considerable degree. Both words can be used with the meanings “to improve” or “to correct,” but there are subtle differences. Emend is most often used in connection with changes to some form of written material, such as a text or manuscript; while such documents may also be described as amended, amend can apply to improvements or corrections made to things other than writing, as in “he amended his behavior.” The confusion is compounded by the fact that one of the most frequently encountered uses of amend is in reference to a document: the Constitution of the United States.

Synonyms

• improve
• enhance

Choose the Right Synonym for amend

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 amend in a Sentence

The country's constitution was amended to allow women to vote.

They voted to amend the law in 1920.

He tried to amend the situation by apologizing to me.

Recent Examples on the Web

The law expires at the end of 2025, and there’s no sign of it being amended to cover 2026 and later recoveries. —Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Boerner said there were negotiations with the Senate on how to proceed, and the bill was amended. —ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025

The New York State Constitution requires that the city’s local elections are to be held in odd years and the state Constitution is very difficult to amend. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025

But the politics of amending statutes is complicated and uncertain. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French amender, modification of Latin emendare, from e, ex out + menda fault; akin to Latin mendax lying, mendicus beggar, and perhaps to Sanskrit mindā physical defect

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for amend

• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend
• descend

Kids Definition

amend

verb

ə-ˈmend 

1

: to change for the better : improve

2

: to change the wording or meaning of : alter

amend a legislative bill

amendable

-ˈmen-də-bəl 

adjective

amender noun

Legal Definition

amend

transitive verb

1

: to change or modify for the better

2

: to alter especially in the wording

especially : to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition

amended the statute

amend the complaint to cure the defect

amendable adjective