MEND Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'mend' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mend are patch , rebuild , and repair . While all these words 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

Q: When is 'patch' a more appropriate choice than 'mend'?

Although the words patch and mend have much in common, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material. // patch worn jeans

Q: Where would 'rebuild' be a reasonable alternative to 'mend'?

The words rebuild and mend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing. // a rebuilt automobile engine

Q: When can 'repair' be used instead of 'mend'?

The words repair and mend can be used in similar contexts, but repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation. // repaired the back steps

mend

verb

ˈmend

Definition of mend

as in to repair

to put into good shape or working order again that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it

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as in to recover

to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu

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as in to heal

to restore to a healthy condition mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again

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as in to compensate

to make up for (an offense) the proverb "least said, soonest mended" should be heeded by anyone tempted to angrily blurt out things they really don't mean

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as in to improve

to change one's behavior or character for the better everyone's written her off as a liar and a thief, but I say it's never too late to mend

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as in to cure

to bring about recovery from the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mend are patch, rebuild, and repair. While all these words 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

When is patch a more appropriate choice than mend?

Although the words patch and mend have much in common, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

Where would rebuild be a reasonable alternative to mend?

The words rebuild and mend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When can repair be used instead of mend?

The words repair and mend can be used in similar contexts, but repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

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 mend For many of us, historical and perennial suffering can be mended through reparations. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 There were chickens, cows and goats to tend to, fences to mend, hay to haul. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 The week before, according to Yahoo Sports, the two men had met at a Texas steakhouse as part of an effort to mend strained relations between Texas Tech and its Big 12 rivals. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026 Though these relationships have been mended, Blair does have other family tree connections in mind for the future of the show. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend

Verb

LLMs can be quite adept at helping people figure out how to plan and carry out real-world tasks, such as fixing a plumbing leak, repairing a car, or learning a new hobby.

— Ian Bogost, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Another round of fighting or the election of a different American president will not repair the rupture.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of repair

Verb

The team’s priority should be making sure Adames, who turns 31 next month, completely heals from his injury, especially something as serious as a back injury.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
But its residents have been finding their own ways to heal and define recovery.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of heal

Verb

Preferably, any recruit would also offer creativity from deep, given Newcastle need to try to compensate for the loss of creativity and goal-scoring threat that Guimaraes provided in midfield.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
That makes long-duration Treasuries particularly vulnerable if investors continue to demand higher returns to compensate for fiscal and inflation risks.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

The upgrade focuses on the aircraft’s mission systems, combining new hardware and software to improve situational awareness and reduce the workload on its crew.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
But with races like the one in Alaska, the party sees an opportunity to improve its chances.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

And while eating bananas probably won’t cure serious sleep troubles, there is some science behind why a banana may improve your sleep.

— Carley Millhone, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026
Fortunately, Green’s film exists — and was not thrown into a little black hole by a bunch of accountants, never to be seen again — and can surely help cure any of the pain its backstory still inflicts on movie fans and Tunes geeks.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of cure

Verb

Nearby on Reisterstown Road, a camera at Neha Gupta's salon captured the bus smashing into her sign, and that damage has yet to be fixed.

— Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Other facility resources, including microwaves, have also been damaged, and can temporarily limit access to resources while they are fixed.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of fix

Verb

That’s why Duffy was right to focus on new and rehabilitated equipment for these Midwest corridors that can put them to immediate use and fill them with passengers.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
The teen will be charged as an adult designated, meaning that if convicted, he could be sentenced as a juvenile, an adult or as a juvenile with the option of receiving an adult sentence if not rehabilitated.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Cite this Entry

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“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mend

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