MENDABLE Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mend

verb

ˈmend

Definition of mend

as in to repair

to put into good shape or working order again that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it

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as in to recover

to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu

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as in to heal

to restore to a healthy condition mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again

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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

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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

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as in to cure

to bring about recovery from the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart

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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 In fact, so far, all Joe has done is put his head down, commit to mending his relationship with Nathan, and work hard to earn his position as lead deckhand. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 July 2026 Fixing the deep systemic wounds for these specific groups ultimately mends and strengthens the entire corporate structure. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Labour spurned the chance to tell a positive story about the need to hike taxes to mend Britain’s public services, gutted by years of Conservative austerity. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 Rita Zajko had reached out to her daughter on her birthday -- which fell on New Year’s Eve -- apologizing for the rift between them and seeking to mend their relationship, according to Rouse. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend

Verb

Adams said straw, mushrooms, corn, rye and sunflowers are great bioremediators that can help to repair damage to soils.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The elegant, minimalist light pendants feel very Japanese, as do the large tatami mat–slash–window seats and ceramic wall hangings repaired with gold à la kintsugi.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of repair

Verb

Authorities say electrical service in La Guaira has recovered to roughly 90%, while more than 5 million liters of water have been distributed across affected areas.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Home prices nationwide have surged since 2012, a year that saw the nation recovering from the Great Recession.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

Honest depth heals best when paired with patience and respect for everyone’s comfort level.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
Adding these impacts to the early Earth’s heat budget, though, proved rather challenging because Earth has a peculiar way of healing its scars.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 5 July 2026

Definition of heal

Verb

Li also said autonomous systems are designed with other sensors such as cameras and radar systems that can compensate for lidar failures.

— Melissa Lee,Paige Tortorelli,Scott Zamost, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Too many people still view exercise as a way to compensate for an otherwise sedentary lifestyle.

— Dana Santas, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

Many people prefer whole-wheat pasta to increase their fiber intake, support digestive and heart health, and improve the overall nutrient quality of their diet, rather than focusing primarily on protein.

— Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 8 July 2026
However, his office says the former Senate majority leader's health is improving.

— Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

By reducing the time parts spend in curing equipment, factories could potentially process more components using the same infrastructure, easing one of the production bottlenecks facing the aerospace industry.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
There is still nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what’s right with America.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 July 2026

Definition of cure

Verb

Marciano beats are muted in the way museum décor aims to keep eyes fixed on the vibrance of the collection.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
Sport scientist Clemens Brunner employs high-tech gait and movement analysis to produce insoles to fix my gait, and PT Thomas Glinka in the Technogym addresses tight hamstrings, calf tension, and right-foot pronation with take-home exercises.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026

Definition of fix

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“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of mend

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