amend

play

verb \ə-ˈmend\

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 situationb : to alter especially in phraseology; especially : to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition amend a constitution
intransitive verb
: to reform oneself

amendable

play \-ˈmen-də-bəl\ adjective

amender

noun

See amend defined for English-language learners

See amend defined for kids

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 of amend from the Web

The White House on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to immediately reinstate Trump’s stalled travel ban, aiming to reverse a string of courtroom losses since the measure was first introduced in January and then amended in March.

— ros krasny, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Seizes on London Attack as Leverage in Travel-Ban Case", 4 June 2017
The letter also says the state will not further amend the 1982 contract without competitive bids.

— mike cason, AL.com, "Jim Zeigler lawsuit against STAARS contract still alive", 2 June 2017
Kentucky amended its laws to permit instant racing, but Idaho and Texas pulled the plug after trials.

— wayne parry, The Seattle Times, "Betting on races already run? Tracks eye new source of cash", 1 June 2017
The new rule amends the Obama administration’s coverage requirement to allow any employer, school or insurance company to opt out of covering contraception due to any moral or religious objection ...

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: President Trump’s commitment to draining the swamp is being tested", 1 June 2017
May helped the campaign conduct a line-by-line review of its finances and amend reports to correct errors.

— morgan cook, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Applegate explains accounting issues to FEC", 31 May 2017
In 2014, the act was amended to include personal emails.

— vivian salama, chicagotribune.com, "Trump urges world leaders to call his cellphone, raising security concerns", 30 May 2017
The city’s smoking ordinance was adopted in 1985 and amended to restrict smoking in restaurants in 1991.

— robert cadwallader, star-telegram, "Injunction provides 60-day hold on new Arlington smoking ordinance", 30 May 2017
To amend the Constitution, the bill needs the support of both chambers in two successive Legislatures.

— lisa w. foderaro, New York Times, "A Right to Bingo, but Not Clean Water, in New York’s Constitution", 26 May 2017

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of amend

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

NEW!

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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 Defined for English Language Learners

amend

play

verb

Definition of amend for English Language Learners

: 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)

AMEND Defined for Kids

amend

play

verb \ə-ˈmend\

Definition of amend for Students

amended

;

amending

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.

Law Dictionary

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