amend

verb \ ə-ˈmend \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of amend

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

—

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 council discussed amending the city charter and decided to have staff do more research.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How they voted, April 8," 8 Apr. 2018
He and the city’s interim community development director and civil engineer issued a memo to aldermen urging passage of an ordinance amending the city code related to floodplain regulations.

— genevieve bookwalter, chicagotribune.com, "Evanston seeks greater input in private lakefront restoration projects," 7 Apr. 2018
The Huntington Beach Planning Commission on Tuesday will discuss amending a section of the city's municipal and zoning code to establish a permit process for Central Park restaurants interested in selling alcohol.

— priscella vega, latimes.com, "Huntington Beach commission to consider allowing Central Park restaurants to sell alcohol," 6 Apr. 2018
Congress intervenes In March, Congress passed a bill amending the Communications Decency Act, , essentially stripping away that defense.

— megan cassidy, azcentral, "Backpage founder arrested by feds on charges of aiding prostitution," 6 Apr. 2018
Many candidates were forced to use amended descriptions after the the secretary of state denied their first choice of words.

— emily cadei, sacbee, "Why an election tradition in California is banned in other states | The Sacramento Bee," 4 Apr. 2018
Still, despite complaints from competitors, DOJ officials have never intervened or amended the original document.

— dave brooks, Billboard, "Five Things to Know About Competition in Ticketing, Eight Years After Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger," 2 Apr. 2018
The measure, which goes into effect in May, is part of a larger bill that amends the state’s legal definition of neglect.

— katie arnold, Outside Online, "More States Should Pass Free-Range Parenting Bills," 30 Mar. 2018
Another section, amended in 2008 under a victim’s rights bill known as Marsy’s Law, refers to the setting of bail amounts.

— evan sernoffsky, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco DA urges California Supreme Court to review bail ruling," 30 Mar. 2018

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

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First Known Use: 13th century

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amend Synonyms

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

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

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

—

amendable

adjective

Learn More about amend

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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amend

Definition of amend

amendable

amender

Examples of amend in a Sentence

Recent Examples of amend from the Web

amend vs. emend

Origin and Etymology of amend

amend Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of amend

Phrases Related to AMEND

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AMEND Defined for English Language Learners

amend

Definition of amend for English Language Learners

AMEND Defined for Kids

amend

Definition of amend for Students

Law Dictionary

amend

legal Definition of amend

amendable

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