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
as in recovering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of mending
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Visitors can try their hand at skills such as block printing, moss wall art, and Japanese sashiko mending.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Hanceville’s new mayor was tasked with mending that alliance.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Before that, the inspirational Moon opposes mending Chiron, stirring tender feelings around support, boundaries, and care.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
After settling in Minnesota, Chin worked as a seamstress, mending clothing and making wedding dresses.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
This New Moon is perfect for mending such inner tears, with its Capricorn durability steeling your 12th House of Finishes.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Saturday should go a long way toward mending that relationship.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Economic leaders, especially in the American Chambers of Commerce and the National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia, have made clear their interest in mending ties between the two countries.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
When paired with the Grimmerie translation key available on the film's Universal site, the spell is revealed to be an incantation for soothing and mending pain and fear.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025
Noun
Family ties may need some mending, and once they’ve been handled, those bonds could be immensely helpful.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Visitors can try their hand at skills such as block printing, moss wall art, and Japanese sashiko mending.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Hanceville’s new mayor was tasked with mending that alliance.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Before that, the inspirational Moon opposes mending Chiron, stirring tender feelings around support, boundaries, and care.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
After settling in Minnesota, Chin worked as a seamstress, mending clothing and making wedding dresses.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
This New Moon is perfect for mending such inner tears, with its Capricorn durability steeling your 12th House of Finishes.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Saturday should go a long way toward mending that relationship.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Economic leaders, especially in the American Chambers of Commerce and the National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia, have made clear their interest in mending ties between the two countries.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
When paired with the Grimmerie translation key available on the film's Universal site, the spell is revealed to be an incantation for soothing and mending pain and fear.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mending
Noun
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Preston, who died in 2006, just days after coming out as gay in a rehabilitation facility at age 59, is remembered — warts and all — by friends, family, colleagues and historians through testimonials in this powerful biographical documentary.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There is no possibility of any rehabilitation for Andrew.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Plus, its 3-hour battery life means less charging, and more recovering.—
Talene Appleton,
Men's Health,
31 Jan. 2023
-
She was taken to a hospital with punctures and lacerations and is stable and recovering.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2022
Verb
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Advertisement In hopes of repairing his reputation, Reggie hires an Oscar-winning filmmaker, Daniel Radcliffe’s Arthur Tobin, to direct a flattering doc about him.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles, keeping you full, and supporting overall health.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
How Florida’s Statute of Limitations Shapes a Claim Most people focus on healing first.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The days of getting paid a first-round pick to take on Sean Monahan’s contract, rehabilitating his value, and then selling him off for an additional first-round pick (and a conditional mid-rounder to boot) are largely a thing of the past.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The largest amount of money in Proposition A — roughly $129 million — will go toward rehabilitating neighborhood streets.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Your lumbar spine is designed primarily for stability and not large degrees of rotation, so the stress of compensating takes a toll.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Terms included portraying Moy in a positive light and compensating the family for its assistance.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The upsurge in violence after Oseguera Cervantes’ killing occurs as some indicators in Mexico’s security situation seemed to be improving.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Jones will be a critical figure in improving USC’s interior and developing Stewart.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Billboards around San Francisco advertise a product that conducts audits before your AI girlfriend breaks up with you; founders are earnest about curing death.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The proprietary process involves curing insulation without thermal ovens, which the company said reduces emissions by 50 percent or more.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mending. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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