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as in to reform
to change one's behavior or character for the better the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amend differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amend are correct, emend, rectify, redress, reform, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of amend?

The words correct and amend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

When can emend be used instead of amend?

In some situations, the words emend and amend are roughly equivalent. However, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When could rectify be used to replace amend?

While in some cases nearly identical to amend, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

Where would redress be a reasonable alternative to amend?

The meanings of redress and amend largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When might reform be a better fit than amend?

Although the words reform and amend have much in common, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

In what contexts can remedy take the place of amend?

While the synonyms remedy and amend are close in meaning, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When would revise be a good substitute for amend?

The words revise and amend can be used in similar contexts, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of amend Still, Taylor’s concerns have not been lost on some members of the city’s charter commission, which repeatedly revisited and at least twice rejected the prospect of amending the charter to enable citations over the past decade. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025 With trade talks evolving rapidly, tariffs are being proposed, rescinded, and amended quickly across the region. Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025 The mayor and council have not taken any steps to amend the ordinance. Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025 Subsequent records requests by Sportico and other media outlets, for new or amended contracts between UCLA and Elevate, turned up no records. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amend
Verb
  • As Gabriel improves and the rapport builds, Bond could turn into a fantasy WR4 given his ability.
    Jake Ciely, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Companies can correct perceptions of unfairness by clearly communicating the value, argues Zhang.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Tarik Skubal course-corrected For now, the story of Detroit’s season is its historic collapse down the stretch.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How do the Giants reform the image of SF into a free-agent destination?
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Members of Congress are also working to reform the visa, which has largely gone unchanged since its creation in 1990.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Wyatt’s pointed use of stark silence to enhance some of the tense moments before battles break out is an effective formal choice that, without the use of slow motion, produces the feeling of time moving differently, making the viewer hyper-aware of what may come.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile in Lagos, Africa’s largest and most influential fashion week is rewriting the runway rulebook.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The powder boasts a natural finish and photo-friendly formula that behaved beautifully under the cameras of both weddings.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
  • After a summer where player power and conduct dominated the transfer window talking points, Guehi demonstrated exactly how a professional should behave.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To remedy this recall, dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Hopefully, Thrice fan Margot Robbie can remedy this.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amend. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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