mend

1 of 2

verb

mended; mending; mends

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 mendedEllen 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 fencesE. O. Hauser
e
: to restore to health : cure
before the bone was fully mendedCurrent 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 visiblyArnold Nicholson
3
: to improve in health
also : heal
his injury mended rather quickly
mendable adjective
mender noun

mend

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act of mending : repair
2
: a mended place
Phrases
on the mend
: getting better : improving
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
By mending that relationship and offering transparency in decision making, Watson thinks people will see how much effort both parties are making for their communities. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025 Most players are on the field doing early work, in the training room mending their bodies or in the cage honing their swings. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
With Dina patched up and on the mend, Ellie and Jesse set out to meet up with Tommy — but something is nagging at Jesse, who presses Ellie to spill the news that Dina is pregnant. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 26 May 2025 Listen to this article 3 min Charlize Theron is on the mend after suffering an on-set injury. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mend

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, short for amenden — more at amend

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mend was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

mend

1 of 2 verb
1
: to improve in manners or morals : reform
2
: to put into good shape or working order again
3
: to improve in health
also : heal
mendable adjective
mender noun

mend

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of mending : repair
2
: a mended place

Medical Definition

mend

1 of 2 transitive verb
: to restore to health : cure
time will mend the broken bone

intransitive verb

: to improve in health
also : heal

mend

2 of 2 noun
: an act of mending or repair

More from Merriam-Webster on mend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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