as in rehabilitation
the process or period of gradually regaining one's health and strength
it was a long slow mending of his injuries from the car crash, but he's fine now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in repairing
to put into good shape or working order again
that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in healing
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness
she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rehabilitating
to restore to a healthy condition
mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in compensating
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
5
as in improving
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in curing
to bring about recovery from
the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in recovering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mending
Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Their relationship definitely needs mending.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adrian Florido, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
Things were awkward — Silvio barely responded to her but continued to vogue around the living room — but at least, Miranda made headway with Mia in mending their relationship.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
They've been studied for use as everything from a bone-mending solution to an atmospheric water harvester.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Sometimes our brains need something completely different to concentrate on while our hearts do their mending.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Their relationship definitely needs mending.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
It's brought back many thousands of Puerto Ricans who've moved away, and is mending some of their sorrow over that decision to leave.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
Things were awkward — Silvio barely responded to her but continued to vogue around the living room — but at least, Miranda made headway with Mia in mending their relationship.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
They've been studied for use as everything from a bone-mending solution to an atmospheric water harvester.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mending
Noun
-
By embedding halfway houses into the federal transition process, Bush underscored his belief that effective reentry programs could reduce recidivism and strengthen families, turning correctional policy toward rehabilitation as much as punishment.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And yet, despite the somewhat shaky premise—retaining the services of an insurance company that isn’t State Farm is like hiring the All About the Bass warbler to oversee your star quarterback’s injury prevention and/or rehabilitation regimen—the spot hasn’t worn out its welcome.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One option for repairing the elevated freeway includes removing a portion of it between the Marquette Interchange and the Hoan Bridge, according to the resolutions, and instead building surface streets.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Sumpter’s husband has discovered that the Nipple Nurture Balm is just as effective at soothing and repairing dry, cracked lips.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The idea that new technology can flip the odds of catching a thief or recovering a child feels like progress.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
On Friday, the left-handed starter — who is recovering from a left rotator-cuff strain — made another rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ride bareback on a steed into the Indian Ocean with the popular Swimming with Horses activity, try healing equine therapy with the gentle creatures or partake in yoga, massage or reiki that all involve horses.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This week, the Aries Moon on Monday and Tuesday lights a fire under your joy sector, reminding you that play and creativity are healing too.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the Big Tech companies behind generative AI learned early on that building a business using the creative works of others is easier without asking permission or compensating creatives.—
Ruth Vitale,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Efficient, neat, always available as a means of compensating for her (completely justified) fear of not being a brilliant enough copywriter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But instead of improving, L’s mental health deteriorated.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Resting your eyes, adjusting your digital screen settings, or improving your posture can often relieve symptoms without medical intervention.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Radiance appears to have been absorbed by the darkness, ending an ancient feud and curing the madness of the kingdom.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
It’s commonly used in gel nail polishes because of its curing efficiency and resistance to yellowing, according to cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With Hunter playing both sides of the ball, expect his presence to give Thomas better opportunities without the risk of Hunter emerging as the new WR1.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
By better understanding how the AAC organizes vocal output in budgerigars, researchers hope to gain new insights into human speech disorders, such as aphasia and Parkinson’s disease, which can impair a person’s ability to produce language.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mending. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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