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
amender
nounPeople Are Reading
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
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The publishing company brought in lawyers to ask the journal Vestoj to amend the article, specifically the details around Chambers’s firing.
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Allow States to Import Cannabidiol (CBD), a Recognized Treatment for Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders The CARERS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to remove specific strains of CBD oil from the federal definition of marijuana.
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The city's bee ordinance, last amended in 1991, called beekeeping a public nuisance and only allowed them to be kept securely on a person's own property.
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Similar accusations were leveled at Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in the early days of Syria’s 2011 uprising, but experts say these governments amended their official stances and financing laws.
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Of course, the catch is that a membership vote is required to amend the bylaws.
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The city's bee ordinance, last amended in 1991, called beekeeping a public nuisance and only allowed them to be kept securely on a person's own property.
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This article has been amended from print to include the correct definition for Semi-Secco.
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In Idaho, lawmakers declined to pass legislation in 2017 that would have removed or amended a faith-healing exemption.
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
Synonym Discussion of amend
AMEND Defined for English Language Learners
amend
playDefinition of amend for English Language Learners
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: to change some of the words and often the meaning of (a law, document, etc.)
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: to change and improve (something, such as a mistake or bad situation)
AMEND Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
amend
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
amendable
adjectiveLearn More about amend
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See words that rhyme with amend Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for amend Spanish Central: Translation of amend Nglish: Translation of amend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of amend for Arabic speakers
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