mend

verb

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\ 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 Phrases Containing mend Learn More About mend

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

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 My father was taught how to cook, how to mend his socks and sew on buttons, how to navigate public transportation. — New York Times, 18 July 2022 O’Malley’s office at Dodger Stadium, to mend bridges and to talk about some issues that Robinson felt needed talking about: specifically the advancement of Black former players into baseball management. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2022 If Boba Fett can climb out of a sarlacc pit, then Cad Bade can crawl inside a bacta tank and mend that wound. — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Feb. 2022 In recent months, however, Mr. Erdogan made efforts to mend ties with the U.S. and repair strained relations with regional rivals Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. — Matthew Luxmoore, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2022 Will the women who were out of line try to mend fences? — oregonlive, 13 July 2022 Few world leaders called on Russian President Vladimir Putin as frequently as Abe, but those overtures did little to mend fences between the Kremlin and the influential Group of Seven nations. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 11 July 2022 Pressure has been growing within the Biden administration to mend fences. — Aaron David Miller, CNN, 23 June 2022 This, though, is hardly the Nuremberg trials, which delved into Nazi horrors, or South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was meant to help mend the rifts of apartheid. — New York Times, 16 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In addition, drill rapper Lil Durk is on the mend after having an onstage mishap in which he was hit in the face with some pyro during his Saturday evening set. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2022 Including for a couple of injured pitchers now on the mend. — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2022 President Biden is significantly on the mend after his coronaivrus infection, according to his doctor. — Rita Beamish, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 July 2022 The White House and Biden allies alike disseminated multiple messages of assurance that the president was on the mend and working in isolation after routine testing yielded a positive result. — Rick Klein, ABC News, 22 July 2022 The latter was still on the mend from shoulder surgery and did not participate in spring practices. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, 22 July 2022 Even if Bergeron and Krejci are aboard, Montgomery will have his own shell game to manage with Marchand and McAvoy on the mend. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2022 Sharna Burgess is on the mend after delivering her's and Brian Austin Green's baby boy via C-section last month. — Breanna Bell, PEOPLE.com, 6 July 2022 This time on the mend from a stress fracture in his right rib cage, Sale is in a different spot. — Greg Levinsky, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2022 See More

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.

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Dictionary Entries Near mend

Menckenese

mend

mendacious

Statistics for mend

Last Updated

8 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mend. Accessed 10 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for mend

mend

verb

\ ˈmend

mended; mending

Kids Definition of mend

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : improve, correct I suggest you mend your ways.

2 : to put into good shape or working order again Can you mend a torn sleeve?

3 : to improve in health : heal Your injury will soon mend.

mend

noun

Kids Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)

: a place where something has been fixed so that it is usable again You can't even see the mend in his pants.

on the mend

: getting better Her broken leg is on the mend.

Choose the Right Synonym for mend

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.