Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

mend

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of mend

1 to put into good shape or working order again

  • that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it
Synonyms of mend

doctor, fix, patch, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp
Words Related to mend

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 of mend

blemish, break, damage, deface, disfigure, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, ruin, spoil, vandalize, wreck

cripple, disable, maim, mangle, mutilate

2 to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness

  • she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu
Synonyms of mend

come back, convalesce, gain, heal, pull round [chiefly British], rally, recoup, recover, recuperate, snap back
Words Related to mend

come around, come round, come to, improve, pick up, revive

cheer (up), perk (up)

pull through, survive

recruit
Near Antonyms of mend

ail, collapse, come down, sicken

decline, degenerate, deteriorate, fade, fail, languish, sink, waste (away), weaken, wilt, wither, worsen

regress, relapse

3 to restore to a healthy condition

  • mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again
Synonyms of mend

cure, fix, heal, rehab, rehabilitate, set up
Words Related to mend

attend (to), care (for), doctor, medicate, minister (to), nurse, physic, treat

fortify, rejuvenate, renew, resuscitate, revitalize, revive

alleviate, relieve, remedy, repair
Near Antonyms of mend

cripple, damage, disable, harm, hurt, impair, injure, lacerate, lame, maim, mangle, mutilate, wound

afflict, ail, debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, lay up, sap, sicken, waste, weaken

4 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
Synonyms of mend

atone (for), expiate, redeem
Words Related to mend

compensate, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay

amend, correct, rectify, redress

propitiate
Phrases Synonymous with mend

make amends for, make good for

5 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
Synonyms of mend

amend, reform, shape up, straighten (up or out)
Words Related to mend

behave, regenerate

better, improve
Phrases Synonymous with mend

clean up one's act
Near Antonyms of mend

backslide, regress

6 to bring about recovery from

  • the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart
Synonyms of mend

cure, heal, remedy
Words Related to mend

allay, alleviate, assuage, relieve

palliate, salve, soothe

ease, lighten, moderate, temper

doctor, nurse

medicate, treat

diagnose
Near Antonyms of mend

aggravate, worsen

misdiagnose, overdiagnose, underdiagnose

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

Learn More about mend

  1. See words that rhyme with mend Dictionary: Definition of mend Medical Dictionary: Definition of mend Spanish Central: Translation of mend Nglish: Translation of mend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mend for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up mend? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

lunette

the figure or shape of a crescent moon

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  2. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

  3. endgame Marvel's Avengers: Endgame

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games