mend

verb \ ˈmend \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: mend in a Sentence

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

King had a chance to mend Batman's heart with his keyboard.

— david betancourt, chicagotribune.com, "Fans were mad that Batman and Catwoman's wedding day surprise was ruined. But the story is still great.," 10 July 2018
During these critical next few weeks in Mexico, the US must find ways to mend its ties with a close neighbor.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Mexico’s big moment – and one for the US, too," 4 June 2018
Don’t misunderstand: Mr. Putin hasn’t had a change of heart or decided to mend fences with the West.

— walter russell mead, WSJ, "Putin’s Success Masks Russian Weakness," 4 June 2018
For now, put your daydreams on hold and mend a fence.

— minerva, San Francisco Chronicle, "Minerva’s horoscope for week of March 25," 25 Mar. 2018
Lab director Laura Sudkamp said some equipment is so old, scientists had used duct tape to mend cracks.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky State Police officials 'feel good' about their place in Gov. Bevin's budget proposal," 17 Jan. 2018
Adopting a new pet could be just what the doctor ordered to help mend a broken heart.

— Fox News, "Why death of your pet is difficult to bear," 29 June 2018
Over the next 10 years, it is slated to provide $15 billion for highway repairs, $4 billion to mend bridges and culverts, and $2.5 billion to reduce traffic congestion.

— rachel swan, SFChronicle.com, "In fighting California gas tax, national Republicans see rallying point," 26 June 2018
Relatives said von Wiese-Mack, 62, the widow of acclaimed composer James L. Mack, had brought their daughter to the tropical island in an effort to mend their long-troubled relationship.

— christy gutowski, chicagotribune.com, "Daughter imprisoned in Bali slaying settles mother's estate," 20 June 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

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

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 2018
Jon Wertheim: Not good. Applaud Murray (and Stan Wawrinka, another Big Fiver on the mend) for giving it a go, as the Brits say.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Wimbledon 2018 Preview Roundtable: Predictions, Dark Horses, More," 29 June 2018
With the help provided by Mario Draghi’s European Central Bank, Europe is on the mend.

— alan crawford, Bloomberg.com, "As Merkel’s Power Drains, the Threat to Europe Grows," 27 June 2018
With free agent pickup Terrelle Pryor (ankle) also still on the mend, evaluating the quarterbacks is that much harder.

— jacob feldman, SI.com, "Starting Job? For Now, Sam Darnold Is Just Holding On Tight," 14 June 2018
With North Korea’s relations with the U.S., Seoul, and China now on the mend, and South Korea trying to reduce its dependence on coal and nuclear power, the pipeline would seem an obvious piece of economic diplomacy.

— marc champion, Bloomberg.com, "There’s a Gas Pipeline Deal to Be Done With Kim Jong Un. Any Takers?," 14 June 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.