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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 City Council voted unanimously on Monday to amend its ground lease agreement with Tepper Sports and Entertainment to include terms for the venue. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025 According to the website, states may exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time by state law in accordance with the Uniform Time Act, as amended. Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025 In the wake of the white community demanding more punishment, the Kentucky General Assembly amended the death penalty statute to allow juries to sentence a rapist to hang in the county seat where the crime was committed. Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 In September, the union amended its complaint to seek claaction status. Annie Nova, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amend
Verb
  • These mini-workouts break up long periods of sitting and may improve heart and muscle health, especially for inactive adults.
    Simon Spichak, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
  • That money is being taken away from habitat management, stocking and improving fisheries for anglers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His teachers corrected his posture and his hands; the angle of the arms and the way the wrist releases into the top of the drum, or drum head which usually is made from animal skin.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This story has been updated to correct the officer's rank.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Long Road to Property Tax Reform The issue of reforming property taxes, which have risen significantly over the past five years due to skyrocketing home values during the pandemic homebuying frenzy, has taken center stage in Tallahassee.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The NextGen paper is the first concrete step in plans to reform the college game.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The research team revealed that the findings of the study offer new insights into enhancing the performance of electrochemical systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 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.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Yet, private capital is rewriting the rules.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement In interviews, DaCosta has talked about the pleasures of telling stories in which Black women behave badly, instead of being forced to serve as virtuous role models.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Those surviving cells accumulated more genetic damage, and in some cases started behaving like cancer cells.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After that, the property owners have the opportunity to remedy the problem.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The issue prompted a stop-sale notice to dealers from Stellantis, meaning dealerships cannot sell PHEV Grand Cherokees from the last five model years without remedying the issue first.
    Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amend. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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