mend

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Whereas Biden sought to mend the nation’s racial divisions after the George Floyd protests, Trump built his revanchist second presidency on the demonization of diversity. Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 Remove Contents, Make Repairs, and Treat Stains Empty the cubes completely and make any necessary repairs, such as trimming loose threads or mending tears, before laundering. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025 Earlier this month, Miley spoke candidly about mending her relationships with both Billy Ray and Tish. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025 Trump’s remarks are among his most extensive public comments yet on his feud with Musk, and the latest sign that the president is not interested in mending his relationship with the onetime ally. Erin Doherty, CNBC, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • Since then, crews have been working to repair the damages to the grounds as quickly as possible.
    Christina House, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • The relationship has since been repaired, and the two leaders often speak, but there are still sharp points of contention, particularly over Trump's handling of Russia and Putin.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Police recovered the keys to the SUV in the 600 block of Burr, court records state.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Authorities in Kootenai County, Idaho, said the body of the man recovered on the mountain is believed to be the only suspect responsible for the deadly shootings.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Jose Siri was getting an MRI over the weekend to see whether his fractured tibia has healed enough to start his running progression again.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 7 July 2025
  • Jose Siri was set to undergo an MRI over the weekend to determine whether his fractured left tibia had healed, according to Mendoza.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Despite some backsliding, the EU still holds to its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, by cutting greenhouse gases and compensating for any remaining emissions.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025
  • In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Built on the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 8GB of RAM as the Quest 3, the 3S boasts high-fidelity hand tracking, full-color passthrough and improved thermal efficiency.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 1 July 2025
  • The law also updates the definition of infertility to be more inclusive and aims to improve access to fertility care for everyone — including members of the LGBTQ+ community.
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One, Godzilla) and written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, The Lost World), Jurassic World Rebirth, now in theaters, centers on a pharmaceutical company's mission to obtain dinosaur DNA for a breakthrough drug that could cure heart disease.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 July 2025
  • Rice's Country Hams: The family business has been curing hams since the early 1940s, owner Ginny Rice Dabbs said.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The current rumors are that Apple is willing to pay upwards of $20 billion for a startup to fix its AI strategy—potentially its largest acquisition ever.
    R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Turns out what landed him there wasn’t that serious: Beckham underwent a procedure to fix an old injury.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The chances of Combs’ image itself being significantly rehabilitated seems slim, given that violent, abusive behavior was caught on camera and aired to millions of people around the world.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
  • More to come: Findlay Flats and Grant Park Nearly a dozen historic buildings across Vine and Elder Streets near the new community center will be rehabilitated into 45 mixed-income apartments.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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