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 Lopez-Galloway, who now lives in California, would ultimately mend his relationship with his parents. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025 But the fact that Prince William’s aides weren’t present as the King and Prince Harry’s aides met indicates there are still fences to be mended there. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 July 2025 Some threads are meant to last and deserve to be mended if broken. Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 His joints are mending, his bruises fading, and the swelling and the pain are all receding. Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • The veteran wide receiver avoided the PUP list to begin training camp despite undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL that was suffered in late October.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
  • This scaffold was able to attract and bind with calcium and phosphate ions, which basically mimicked the function of enamel in protecting and repairing the tooth.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In June, the family came down with the flu, but Melody seemed to get worse rather than recover like Chabot, her 27-year-old mom.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Stocks have since recovered these losses and gone on to score record highs.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Over time, bone tissue grows to fill the gap, and once fully healed, the limb is longer.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Each morning, an Apres Sleep Cart is at your service, providing healing tinctures, stretch cards, and facial mists.
    Ronny Maye, Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Developers need to build AI systems that can recognize and compensate for their own biases.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • To compensate for the decreased aroma from the tea leaves during the brewing process, magnolia leaves and olive oil are added to enhance the flavor, giving it a dose of freshness.
    Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The cash offer is unchanged from MFE’s original bid, but the share swap component is significantly improved, up from an original offer of 0.4 MFE-A shares per ProSieben share.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
  • This can significantly improve efficiency and reduce errors, making the 15-minute breaks a worthwhile investment in long-term productivity.
    Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, there is a single disastrous outcome: disease is treated rather than cured.
    David Marks, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
  • About three out of four times, the state either found no violations or the employer agreed to voluntarily cure any violations, avoiding a citation.
    Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And here’s the real kicker: a leadership change doesn’t just fix optics.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • My initial attempts to fix this were a masterclass in frustration.
    Jason BARNARD, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The new diverging diamond interchange proposed in Waukesha County to rehabilitate one of the oldest interchanges on the Interstate 94 system is estimated to cost about $7.9 million, officials say.
    Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The bears were brought to the Wildlife Center, which is one of three centers licensed to rehabilitate wild black bears in the state, to receive medical treatment and diagnosis, Thompson said.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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