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 Allies had to work behind the scenes to mend relations after the U.S. cut off intelligence sharing and all aid to Ukraine. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025 The rejection of Russia’s offer comes as Mr. Zelensky has found himself on somewhat surer ground with the Trump administration in cease-fire talks, mending relations after a disastrous Oval Office shouting match in February. Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 3 May 2025 During an impromptu trip to Europe to mend a broken heart, a math teacher Frank Tupelo (Depp) finds himself in an extraordinary situation when an alluring stranger, Elise Clifton-Ward (Jolie), places herself in his path. Paul Vidich, People.com, 2 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • After arriving in Italy, Dad was put in charge of a group, mostly mechanics, at a hangar in an airfield and kept track of the parts and supplies needed to repair the planes that landed there.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • The revenue generated will be devoted to repairing the city’s subway system.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Back then, Maryland’s oyster population was just starting to recover from devastating bouts of disease, such as MSX and Dermo.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025
  • Time is of the essence, and a long delay seeking treatment could hamper the dog’s ability to recover.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 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
  • For example, Tencent is using AI to improve ad targeting and boost user engagement in games, Lau noted.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 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 microscopic gene-editors zeroed in on one of Muldoon's mutations so tiny molecular scissors could perform a kind of genetic surgery — literally rewriting his genetic code to fix his defect.
    Rob Stein, NPR, 15 May 2025
  • 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
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 29 May. 2025.

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