mend

verb \ ˈmend \

Updated on: 25 May 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

Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez, who is busy trying to mend fences after the 2016 presidential election, said in a C-SPAN Newsmakers interview.

— ella nilsen, Vox, "The Democratic establishment’s controversial meddling in 2018 primaries, explained," 3 May 2018
The first-term African-American councilman reached out to try to mend fences, but several of the gestures seem to have made things worse.

— NBC News, "Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories roil D.C. city government," 2 May 2018
Fundamentally, observers gripe, the chaebol have not mended their old ways.

— The Economist, "Politicians’ battle against Korean conglomerates hits a snag," 26 Apr. 2018
But Hartford activists were dismayed by the effort, and said Bronin will have to mend ties with the community.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "In Wake Of Gubernatorial Bid, Hartford Residents Say Bronin Must Again Win Them Over," 22 Apr. 2018
The long rod allows an angler to more easily control and mend the line, even keeping it off the water surface for extended periods on drifts.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Centerpin gear is gaining fans for tributary fishing," 24 Mar. 2018
Twelve years later, Goldberg mended fences with WWE and returned to capture the WWE Universal championship in March 2017 at 50 years old.

— gene guillot, NOLA.com, "Goldberg is next as he headlines the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame," 23 Mar. 2018
Until then, Nguyen must mend fences with new manager Brad Friedel — a U.S. national team legend making his pro coaching debut.

— jonathan tannenwald, Philly.com, "Union academy products Auston Trusty, Anthony Fontana ready for spotlight as MLS season kicks off," 2 Mar. 2018
Hairline fractures mend themselves within days when calcium ions in the mix react with rainwater and carbon dioxide to create a calcium carbonate patch.

— pm editors, Popular Mechanics, "110 Predictions For the Next 110 Years," 10 Dec. 2012

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

South Africa, the third big beast, is also on the mend.

— The Economist, "Africa’s economies are turning a corner," 10 May 2018
But the forest is on the mend, and wildlife is coming back.

— lizzie wade, Science | AAAS, "Colombian scientists race to study once-forbidden territory before it is lost to development—or new conflict," 26 Apr. 2018
Family members of those shot by police testified that the measures would help grieving families as well as mend trust between law enforcement and communities.

— hunter woodall and laura bauer, kansascity, "Victims' families will see police body cam footage under bill passed by Kansas Senate | The Kansas City Star," 22 Mar. 2018
At any time, there could be loggerheads, green sea turtles or other species on the mend amid the various treatment pools.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Palm Beach County: Center all about saving sea turtles," 6 May 2018
On the mend: Yoan Moncada was pulled in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Cardinals with left hamstring tightness and also mentioned a sore right foot and left thumb after the game.

— andy martinez jr., chicagotribune.com, "White Sox's Joakim Soria says he won't let blown save have negative affect on him," 3 May 2018
The results offer more signs that Under Armour is on the mend after stiffer competition — mainly from Adidas AG — slowed growth.

— Fortune, "Under Armour Shares Pop After Earnings Report Gives Investors a Reason to Believe Again," 1 May 2018
But the injuries are mounting up, especially in defense, which is where Michael Bradley is being forced into playing while Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga, Eriq Zavaleta, Nick Hagglund and Justin Morrow all are on the mend.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "The MLS XI, Week 9: LAFC Comes Home; Toronto FC Nurses Its CCL Hangover," 30 Apr. 2018
The Houston police officer hospitalized after a freak golf cart accident earlier this month is now on the mend and responding to his name.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Houston police officer responding to name again after freak golf cart accident," 22 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of mend

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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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