mend
verb
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Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
mend
nounDefinition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
: getting better : improving
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Other words from mend
Verb
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adjective
Synonyms for mend
Synonyms: Verb
doctor, fix, patch, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp
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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
Americans often say such partisanship is bad for their country (and that the other lot should mend their ways). — The Economist, "American democracy’s built-in bias towards rural Republicans," 12 July 2018 Anticipation has been high for a possible Trump-Putin meeting as Trump seeks to mend strained relations with Russia. — Fox News, "Bolton due in Moscow to talk possible US-Russia summit," 27 June 2018 No sentence, however, could mend the pain felt by Rainey's family, according to their letters. — Marie Simoneaux, NOLA.com, "'We will forever hurt': Victim's aunt says as man sentenced to 20 years in 2008 killing," 26 Feb. 2018 Though relationships have mended, neither James nor Elisabeth are expected to take a role at new Fox. — Sarah Ellison, Philly.com, "Rupert Murdoch: The media mogul says goodbye to much of the company he built," 2 July 2018 Seoul and Beijing later mended relations, but Lotte gave up and sold its China operations. — Joe Mcdonald, The Seattle Times, "How China could hurt US once it ran out of imports to tax," 10 July 2018 Make do and mend Ötzi was competent enough at stone tool maintenance; microscopic analysis of the marks left by his retouching shows a respectable amount of control over pressure, angle, and depth. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Ötzi the Iceman spent his last days trying to repair his tools," 22 June 2018 Perhaps fences can still be mended, Besson suggested. — Jane Ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Frustrated environmental-committee members resign. Now Hales Corners fruit and nut orchard is at risk," 18 June 2018 That injury causes a cell to activate a biochemical first-aid kit orchestrated by a gene called p53, which either mends the DNA break or makes the cell self-destruct. — Sharon Begley, STAT, "A serious new hurdle for CRISPR: Edited cells might cause cancer, find two studies," 11 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Two German Shepherd mix puppies with massive neck injuries are on the mend at the Sacramento SPCA after they were left outside the shelter in late February. — Emily Zentner, sacbee, "Despite traumatic start, German Shepherd puppies are on the mend at Sacramento SPCA | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Mar. 2018 Linda Hunt is on the mend after a car crash on Monday left her hospitalized. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "NCIS: Los Angeles' Linda Hunt Recovering After 'Minor Traffic Accident'," 4 July 2018 Sarah Hyland is on the mend after a recent hospital visit. — Blake Bakkila, Health.com, "This Is What Sarah Hyland Is Doing to Recover After Her Health Scare," 25 June 2018 On the mend After missing the NFL combine skills testing due to a hamstring injury, Jordan Akins was able to participate in every pro day drill except for the 40-yard dash. — Shannon Green, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Mike Hughes opts out of running 40 at UCF Pro Day," 29 Mar. 2018 Del the Funky Homosapien took a hard fall during his set with Gorillaz at Denmark's Roskilde Festival on Saturday (July 7), but the rapper is thankfully okay and on the mend. — Hilary Hughes, Billboard, "Gorillaz Wrap Festival Set Following Del the Funky Homosapien's Stage Fall," 8 July 2018 Willie is now on the mend, hobbling on his three strong legs while wearing a cone to keep him from chewing on the staples in his surgically repaired one, and Home Free has a promising lead on a new owner. — Hillary Davis, latimes.com, "Coming to the rescue: Newport resident’s dog food company starts nonprofit to get homeless dogs veterinary care," 7 July 2018 A year after the split, staff say the hospital and its reputation are on the mend. — Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, "University of Louisville Hospital says it's on mend minus KentuckyOne," 5 July 2018 After the 2nd surgery, My back is finally on the mend. — Tyler Mccarthy, Fox News, "'Dance Moms' star Abby Lee Miller shares graphic photo following 'emergency surgery' on her back," 1 July 2018These 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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More Definitions for mend
mend
verb
English Language Learners Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
: a place where something (such as a piece of clothing) has been repaired
See the full definition for mend in the English Language Learners Dictionary
mend
verb
\
Kids Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
mend
nounKids 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.
: getting better Her broken leg is on the mend.
mend
transitive verb
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Medical Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to restore to health : cure time will mend the broken bone
: to improve in health also : heal
mend
nounMedical Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
: an act of mending or repair
: getting better or improving especially in health
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