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 The shampoo brings balance to the scalp microbiome and also mends hair damage, repairs, strengthens and hydrates locks. Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Spinderella told the crowd that the group has been privately mending their relationship. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025 Though Leno may have regrets, in 2017, Kimmel confirmed that the two had mended their relationship. Esther Kang, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Zuckerberg, who faced Trump’s ire after Meta banned the president from its platforms in the wake of the Jan. 6 riots, has attempted to mend his relationship with Trump since the election, donating to his inaugural fund and shifting the company’s approach to content moderation. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • The negative publicity surrounding layoffs can linger for years, creating lasting brand damage that's difficult to repair.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • According to a statement provided last year by Welsh through his attorney, Patrick Morris, the Postal Service for years violated its lease, which required it to maintain and repair the flooring at its own expense.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • With about three minutes left, Tatum dove for a loose ball, which Knicks guard OG Anunoby recovered.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • The sector is still recovering from the profound disruptions caused by the pandemic, labor strikes, and more recently, the wildfires in Los Angeles… Any system, in my view, should encourage cooperation — not competition at the expense of others.
    Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Others begin with We—healing teams, reshaping culture.
    Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Days get easier, but there's no day where it's totally healed.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • As outlined in the court documents, Capital One did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to compensate affected customers for foregone interest and provide additional payments to those holding certain accounts.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • And pitchers such as Banda have had to compensate as a result.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • The program seeks to tackle the issue through nutrition, physical activity, cutting back on medications and improving food and drug quality and safety.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Coconut oil contains many nutrients that can improve skin health.
    Health, Health, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • While advanced prostate cancer cannot be completely cured, it can be treated, though treatment largely depends on the stage of its development.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 19 May 2025
  • Be aware that newer concrete, such as that less than a year old, may still be curing and could be more susceptible to damage.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The Adoptee Citizenship Act, which is intended to fix this oversight, has been introduced twice in Congress to no effect.
    Time, Time, 15 May 2025
  • Protein is needed for the muscles to fix the damage and grow larger.
    Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Our investigation found that a large number of the private agencies deliberately kept the children in their care and out of the adoption market, making little or no effort to rehabilitate their parents.
    Stewart Ain, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
  • State officials say this is the fourth young cub in the past five years that’s been brought in to be rehabilitated.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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