mend

verb

\ ˈmend

mended; mending; mends

Definition of mend

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to free from faults or defects: such as

a : to improve in manners or morals : reform was advised to mend his ways

b : to set right : correct mend a corrupt text

c : to put into good shape or working order again : patch up : repair the roads were never mended— Ellen Glasgow

d : to improve or strengthen (something, such as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation —used chiefly in the phrase mend fences spends the weekend mending political fences— E. O. Hauser

e : to restore to health : cure before the bone was fully mended — Current Biography

2 : to make amends or atonement for least said, soonest mended

intransitive verb

1 : to improve morally : reform It's never too late to mend.

2 : to become corrected or improved depression and lack of spirit mended visibly— Arnold Nicholson

3 : to improve in health also : heal his injury mended rather quickly

mend

noun

Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of mending : repair

2 : a mended place

on the mend

: getting better : improving

Other Words from mend Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about mend

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Choose the Right Synonym for mend

Verb

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured. mended the torn dress repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation. repaired the back steps patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material. patch worn jeans rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing. a rebuilt automobile engine

Verb

mend, patch, repair mean to take something that has been damaged and make it usable again. mend is used for making something that has been broken or damaged once again whole or fit for use. Fishermen were mending their nets. patch is used for mending a hole or tear by using the same or similar material. Patch the hole with concrete. patch may also be used for a hurried, careless job. Just patch the roof for now. repair is used for a skillful mending of a complicated thing. The mechanic repaired our car.

Examples of mend in a Sentence

Verb

The town needs to mend these roads. Fishermen were mending their nets. Her arm mended slowly after surgery. His broken heart never completely mended.

Noun

You can hardly see the mend in the sleeve.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Maybe, after some time and space, Kylie and Woods will be able to mend their broken relationship. — Lydia Wang, refinery29.com, "Kylie Jenner Finally Speaks Out About Her Broken Friendship With Jordyn Woods," 15 July 2019 Last year’s winner showcased women who mend nets for a living in Spain. — Anchorage Daily News, "Local fishery taxes will continue to be split 50-50 between towns and state for now," 9 July 2019 Her practices are deceptively simple: buy local, cook, garden and compost food waste; mend clothes or repurpose them; travel by bicycle or public transit whenever possible. — Andrea L. Dooley, SFChronicle.com, "Take this first step for a zero-waste lifestyle," 2 July 2019 In its first year, the administration tried to work with Europeans allies to mend what Trump identified as flaws in the nuclear deal, such as its silence on ballistic missiles and Iran’s support for destabilizing proxies around the Middle East. — Matthew Lee, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump smiles with North Korea, threatens Iran," 1 July 2019 So please, Spider-Verse directors, mend Holland’s broken heartstrings and put him in the sequel. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Tom Holland reveals his cut Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse cameo," 28 June 2019 The two mended their friendship last year after publicly feuding. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Taylor Swift’s new video features Ellen, RuPaul and more," 17 June 2019 Equifax has been trying to mend its reputation and regain industry certifications. — Maria Armental, WSJ, "Equifax Expects U.S., Canada Watchdogs to Press Cases Over 2017 Breach," 22 Feb. 2019 Her passion and influence on family and friends, will forever be with us as our hearts slowly mend. — courant.com, "Dana Elizabeth Feinauer," 16 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Dean McDermott was hospitalized on Sunday evening after a high fever Dean McDermott is on the mend. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Dean McDermott Hospitalized for Pneumonia, 'Possibly Meningitis': ‘I’ve Never Been So Sick'," 1 July 2019 Just a month ago, many investors were convinced China’s economy was on the mend. — Nathaniel Taplin, WSJ, "Don’t Trade on China’s Terrible Trade Numbers," 8 May 2019 Small tears can be repaired by hand, so long as the mends aren't overtly visible when the flag is displayed. — Rebecca Deczynski, Good Housekeeping, "The Proper Etiquette for Flying the American Flag, Including on Memorial Day," 10 May 2019 The housing bust and recession that began in 2007 wrecked all of that, and by 2015, the economy had been on a slow mend. — Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, "How Estimates of the Gig Economy Went Wrong," 7 Jan. 2019 In Illinois the voters chose Brendan Kelly, a prosecutor with a mend-it, don’t-end-it message on the Affordable Care Act, to take on a conservative Republican in a rural district. — New York Times, "Trying for House Gains, Democrats Bless Moderates and Annoy Liberals," 13 May 2018 In Illinois the voters chose Brendan Kelly, a prosecutor with a mend-it, don’t-end-it message on the Affordable Care Act, to take on a conservative Republican in a rural district. — BostonGlobe.com, "Trying for House gains, Democrats favor moderates and annoy liberals," 13 May 2018 We haven’t been asked to come back and try and make a mends to rectify the situation. — Michelle Gant, Fox News, "Restaurant calls bride-to-be a 'cow' in email sent to her by mistake," 10 Apr. 2018 His dad had battled a variety of serious illnesses for several years but seemed to be on the mend. — April Bridgeman, Woman's Day, "My Husband and I Bonded Over Death," 13 Apr. 2016

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