amend

verb

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\ ə-ˈmend

amended; amending; amends

Definition of amend

transitive verb

1 : to put right especially : to make emendations in (something, such as a text) amended the manuscript

2a : 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

Other Words from amend Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Amend vs. Emend More Example Sentences Learn More about amend

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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

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.

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 Second, taxpayers who filed their 2020 tax returns before Dec. 27, 2020, based on previous guidance would normally need to amend their 2020 tax returns to claim 2020 deductions that now can be taken. — Julie Jason, Jd, Forbes, 29 May 2021 The citizen panel would assess the performance and set goals for the police superintendent, chief administrator and police board president and collaborate with CPD, COPA and the Police Board to develop or amend policies. — Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 25 May 2021 Phoenix is expected to take up Wednesday the issue of whether to drop or amend its mandate requiring masks in public places and city facilities. — Paulina Pineda, The Arizona Republic, 19 May 2021 After the soil is appropriately moist to dig and amend – see below – rent such tools as a mini-front-end loader or a mini-garden-tractor to help with the heavy-duty tasks of soil preparation, including moving and incorporating soil amendments. — oregonlive, 16 May 2021 Superior Court Judge Sarah Heckman, who was first elected to the bench in 2012, said the Emergency Services Act gave governors the power to suspend laws but not to make new laws or amend existing ones. — Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2021 Elgin would need to need to amend its existing parking ordinance to do that, City Manager Rick Kozal said. — Gloria Casas, chicagotribune.com, 29 Apr. 2021 If this decriminalization happens or is phased in over the next four years, sports leagues, particularly the Big Four, will likely need to amend their collective bargaining agreements. — Harrison Wise, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2021 State housing finance agencies should amend their qualified allocation plans to ensure credits flow only to projects that will honor nonprofit purchase rights. — Peter J Reilly, Forbes, 24 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amend. Accessed 13 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for amend

amend

verb

English Language Learners Definition of amend

: to change some of the words and often the meaning of (a law, document, etc.)

: to change and improve (something, such as a mistake or bad situation)

See the full definition for amend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

amend

verb

\ ə-ˈmend

amended; amending

Kids Definition of amend

1 : to change for the better : improve He tried to amend the situation by apologizing.

2 : to change the wording or meaning of : alter Congress voted to amend the law.

amend

transitive verb

Legal Definition of amend

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