mend

verb \ ˈmend \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of mend

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

—

mendable

play \ˈmen-də-bəl\ adjective

—

mender

noun

See mend defined for English-language learners

See mend defined for kids

Examples of mend in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of mend from the Web

Nina, a tough, independent woman in Brooklyn, New York, is visited by her estranged father, Kenyatta, a former revolutionary in the black liberation movement who is desperate to mend their broken relationship.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "Dobama Theatre's 59th season a celebration of women's work, from Annie Baker's 'John' to Jennifer Haley's 'The Nether'," 7 Apr. 2018
Two errors by Marwin Gonzalez and a high throw from Alex Bregman in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Orioles tested Astros first baseman J.D. Davis, who is filling in while Yuli Gurriel mends from hand surgery.

— hunter atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Bad throws test Astros first baseman J.D. Davis," 5 Apr. 2018
The self-healing or living concrete can't cure very wide cracks or potholes on roads just yet, as the technology is currently able to mend cracks about only one millimeter wide.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "This is why bacteria could be the answer to your pothole prayers," 3 Apr. 2018
As Facebook continues to deal with the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica data incident, the company is taking its first official steps towards mending bridges with users.

— madeline buxton, refinery29.com, "Facebook Rolls Out New Privacy & Data Controls As User Unrest Continues," 28 Mar. 2018
Nelson offers these tips on mending a relationship after an affair: Learn how to fight fair by removing emotion and sticking to the facts.

— monique judge, The Root, "Cheating: Who, What, Why and How to Recover," 14 Mar. 2018
Trump has further alienated many South Koreans by threatening to withdraw from the United States' free-trade agreement with the country, although a relatively contrite appearance before South Korea's parliament in November did mend some bridges.

— adam taylor, Washington Post, "Is Trump making himself irrelevant on North Korea?," 5 Jan. 2018
The in-salon part mends broken sulfur bonds that lead to fading; the at-home mask ensures shiny strands until your next salon visit.

— jessica prince erlich, Harper's BAZAAR, "Secrets to Gorgeous Hair Color," 17 July 2015
No two-hour game can mend those wounds, not even a half-century later.

— eddie pells, Houston Chronicle, "Unbelievable. Biggest upset reveals best in college hoops," 17 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of mend

Middle English, short for amenden — more at amend

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First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

mend Synonyms

Synonyms

doctor, fix, patch, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp;

Near Antonyms

blemish, break, damage, deface, disfigure, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, ruin, spoil, vandalize, wreck;

cripple, disable, maim, mangle, mutilate;

aid, cure, heal, help;

condition, prepare, ready;

care (for), maintain, service;

freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive;

ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate;

Synonym Discussion of mend

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

mend

noun

Definition of mend

1 : an act of mending : repair

2 : a mended place

— on the mend

: getting better : improving

See mend defined for English-language learners

Examples of mend in a Sentence

You can hardly see the mend in the sleeve.

Recent Examples of mend from the Web

As of Thursday, sophomores Toneil Carter and Daniel Young were the only healthy scholarship backs on the roster. Tristian Houston (knee), Kirk Johnson (ankle), Kyle Porter, and converted linebacker Cameron Townsend (ankle) are all on the mend.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Tom Herman instills some silence at Longhorns practice," 5 Apr. 2018
On the mend Lue, who hasn't coached since March 17 because of personal reasons, was again at The Q for Sunday's game.

— joe vardon, cleveland.com, "Cavaliers are hot, even if it doesn't seem that way: Inside Cavs-Mavericks," 2 Apr. 2018
As recently as two weeks ago, Thomas said his health was on the mend.

— usa today sports, USA TODAY, "Lakers' Isaiah Thomas to undergo surgery on troublesome hip tomorrow," 28 Mar. 2018
Tommy Lee is still on the mend from a physical altercation that took place between him and his 21-year-old son Brandon earlier this month.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Tommy Lee Leaves Medical Office as Sheriff Says Son's Assault Case Sent to DA," 20 Mar. 2018
The Celtics can live with an early playoff exit in Year One of a drastic rebuild—but to enter 2018–19 with two stars on the mend would have been a cruel twist to Danny Ainge's slow but massive overhaul.

— matt dollinger, SI.com, "All Is Not Lost for Kyrie Irving and the Injured Celtics," 24 Mar. 2018
To that end, the forthcoming playoffs are on track to be as unpredictable as any in recent memory because, well, the Rockets’ rivals are on the mend.

— sam amick, USA TODAY, "Houston Rockets closing in on No. 1 seed, remain unfazed about who's behind them," 22 Mar. 2018
Patients who are on the mend sometimes sell unused blood entitlements to those who are still ill.

— The Economist, "Clot-hoppersChina bungles changes to its blood-donation system," 22 Mar. 2018
Coach Steve Clifford said both are on the mend and should play again this season.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "What record did Kemba Walker break in the Charlotte Hornets’ blowout win? | Charlotte Observer," 22 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of mend

14th century

MEND Defined for English Language Learners

mend

verb

Definition of mend for English Language Learners

: to make (something broken or damaged) usable again : to repair (something broken or damaged)
: to heal or cure (a broken bone, a sad feeling, etc.)

mend

noun

Definition of mend for English Language Learners

: a place where something (such as a piece of clothing) has been repaired

MEND Defined for Kids

mend

verb \ ˈmend \

Definition of mend for Students

mended; mending

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.

—

mender

noun

Synonym Discussion of mend

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.

mend

noun

Definition of mend for Students

: 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.

Medical Dictionary

mend

transitive verb \ ˈmend \

medical Definition of mend

: to restore to health : cure

time will mend the broken bone

intransitive verb

: to improve in health; also : heal

mend

noun

medical Definition of mend

: an act of mending or repair

— on the mend

: getting better or improving especially in health

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Definition of mend for English Language Learners

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Definition of mend for English Language Learners

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