mend

play

verb \ ˈmend \

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

Rivera has tried to mend fences with Smith, saying in 2015 that Smith deserved a chance to sign a one-day contract and retire with the Panthers, a la former kicker John Kasay.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Steve Smith finally back at BoA Stadium, but has his stance toward Panthers softened?," 9 Aug. 2017
Good Behavior (TNT) Michelle Dockery's con artist, Letty, has mended things with her mother and son, (not to mention Juan Diego Botto's Javier).

— whitney friedlander, Esquire, "Fall TV Preview: Your Complete Guide to the Season's Premieres," 4 Aug. 2017
The audience was filled with members of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, an organization that supports Jesse Nevel and believes reparations can mend racial inequality.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "When White Supremacy Strikes: Florida Mayoral Candidate Tells Audience Member To ‘Go Back To Africa’," 20 July 2017
This is a week for tinkering, for mending, for making repairs.

— claire comstock-gay, The Cut, "Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of July 17," 17 July 2017
That could add pressure to mend ties with franchisees.

— leslie patton, The Seattle Times, "Tim Hortons franchisees fret coffee chain is losing its Canadian culture," 12 July 2017
While the country music pioneer continues to mend, fans can visit her ranch and, of course, listen to her music on repeat.

— melissa locker, Southern Living, "Even After Her Stroke, Loretta Lynn Puts Her Fans First," 11 July 2017
But the staffing size also has triggered concerns that littoral combat ships lack enough sailors to mend battle damage if struck at sea.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Giffords becomes latest Navy littoral ship to call San Diego home," 5 July 2017
In The Doctor Falls, Heather returns to bring Bill back to life and mend her broken heart.

— kelly fiveash, Ars Technica, "Doctor Who review: Time tumbles out of control in The Doctor Falls," 3 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

mend Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

fix up, furbish, overhaul, rebuild, reconstruct, refurbish; aid, cure, heal, help; condition, prepare, ready; care (for), maintain, service; freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive; adjust, correct, modify, rectify, redress, reform, right; ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate

Near Antonyms

blemish, break, damage, deface, disfigure, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, ruin, spoil, vandalize, wreck; cripple, disable, maim, mangle, mutilate

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

Still on the mend Wide receiver Donte Moncrief wore a red jersey in practice all week – that means no contact.

— zak keefer, Indianapolis Star, "Colts vs. Steelers: 4 things to watch," 25 Aug. 2017
Newport's program remains on the mend after two wins in two years.

— marc hardin, Cincinnati.com, "Preview: NKY Class 2A, District 6 produces state-level talent," 11 Aug. 2017
Running back Jay Ajayi (concussion), who has missed the last week while in concussion protocol, seems to be on the mend.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins lose LB Raekwon McMillan (knee), get victory in preseason opener," 11 Aug. 2017
Samuel has been dealing with a hamstring issue that first cropped up in the spring, but the second-round pick from Ohio State seems to be on the mend.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Who will be on Carolina Panthers’ 53-man roster? Here’s our early projection," 11 Aug. 2017
Bobby Zarin is on the mend and in high spirits following his release from the hospital.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "Jill Zarin Says Husband Bobby Is Feeling ‘So Good’ After Being Released from Hospital," 10 Aug. 2017
Almost a week and a half after the accident, Ashley is on the mend.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "A Woman Says a Bath and Body Works Candle Left Her With Severe Facial Burns," 1 Aug. 2017
Today, just over a week later, Nisbet is on the mend.

— sarah schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Let This Runner's Horrifying Leg Sunburn Be a Reminder to Constantly Reapply," 28 June 2017
The ozone layer—a high-altitude expanse of oxygen molecules that protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays—has been on the mend for the past decade or so.

— sid perkins, Science | AAAS, "New threat to ozone layer found," 27 June 2017

First Known Use of mend

14th century

MEND Defined for English Language Learners

mend

play

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

play

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

play

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

Learn More about mend

See words that rhyme with mend Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mend Spanish Central: Translation of mend Nglish: Translation of mend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mend for Arabic speakers

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