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 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

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 But many doctors have now recognized that ignoring patients led to bad medicine, and have tried to mend their ways. — Washington Post, 28 June 2021 When Ryan’s estranged father, Frank (Kevin Sorbo), comes back into the picture in season four, wanting to mend their fractious relationship, Sandy is wary, to say the least. — Lauren Pinnington, Vulture, 18 June 2021 The Russian leader doesn't hope for a new détente to mend the rift caused by Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. — Jonathan Lemire And Vladimir Isachenkov, Star Tribune, 16 June 2021 On the contrary, the couple has put thousands of miles between themselves and Harry’s family, and the name could be an attempt to mend the rift and show their respect for the Queen. — Lauren Le Vine, refinery29.com, 7 June 2021 Despite pledging to mend relations with Europe, Biden has so far kept the Trump tariffs in place. — Paul Wiseman, Star Tribune, 15 June 2021 President Joe Biden has vowed to mend The United States' trade relations with its European allies, after they were stretched to breaking point by former President Donald Trump. — Editors, USA TODAY, 15 June 2021 President Joe Biden has vowed to mend America’s trade relations with its European allies, which were stretched to the breaking point by President Donald Trump’s mercurial behavior, combative policies and aversion to multinational alliances. — Paul Wiseman, ajc, 13 June 2021 Russian officials have in recent days said that repairing ties won’t be easy but that both sides understand the need to mend relations. — Sabrina Siddiqui, WSJ, 25 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But some Huskies are also on the mend from surgery or other ailments. — Alexa Philippou, courant.com, 6 July 2021 Hannah Brown appears to be on the mend after opening up about injuring herself earlier this week. — Ally Mauch, PEOPLE.com, 3 July 2021 Martha Stewart is on the mend following surgery for an injury to her Achilles tendon. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 July 2021 Pharmacy sales are on the mend at Walgreens , thanks to Covid-19 shots. — Francesca Fontana, WSJ, 2 July 2021 Cupcake, a large potbellied pig found abandoned in Las Vegas, is on the mend! — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 25 June 2021 But with business restrictions broadly lifted now and the economy on the mend, Collier expects new or recovered income for those who struggled to make ends meet previously. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2021 Thot Girl Summer, the news comes with a disclaimer that this one’s for the broken bitches on the mend. — Dee Lockett, Vulture, 18 June 2021 The other woman went home, on the mend, pregnant and planning to have her baby at her local hospital in Corona. — Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2021

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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Last Updated

3 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mend. Accessed 24 Jul. 2021.

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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

noun

English 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

\ 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.