1
as in repairs
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recovers
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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3
as in heals
to restore to a healthy condition
mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again
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4
as in compensates
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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5
as in improves
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 cures
to bring about recovery from
the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mends
Nothing mends a friendship quite like an exorcism.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Mason Thames stars in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon as series protagonist Hiccup, a young Viking who mends a rift between his village and a group of dragons.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Last month, the Dutch social enterprise United Repair Centre (URC), which mends clothing from performancewear brands such as Patagonia, Decathlon, Arc’teryx and The North Face, opened its second international outpost in Paris.
—Fleur Britten, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
The money helps to keep its doors open, fund church programs and mends the spirit of its congregation, the church wrote.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Mason Thames stars in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon as series protagonist Hiccup, a young Viking who mends a rift between his village and a group of dragons.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Last month, the Dutch social enterprise United Repair Centre (URC), which mends clothing from performancewear brands such as Patagonia, Decathlon, Arc’teryx and The North Face, opened its second international outpost in Paris.
—Fleur Britten, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
The money helps to keep its doors open, fund church programs and mends the spirit of its congregation, the church wrote.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mends
Verb
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Sleep is when the body repairs itself and the mind takes a brief vacation.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
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One of the most expensive costs around Colorado is around housing, not just the cost of renting but also repairs.—
Mekialaya White,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here, Fergal arrives just in time to rescue Ohm, who recovers at a local hospital and seems fundamentally changed by his experience.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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After a person recovers from the infection, the virus stays inactive in the body and can become reactive years later, causing shingles, the CDC said.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the regular market heals, FAIR Plan pricing must become actuarially sound as already required by law to lead customers towards better and cheaper coverage in the regular market.—
Patrick Wolff,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
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Quero’s struggles might force Venable to make a tough decision and give Romo more time behind the plate while Kyle Teel heals.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although Emery has tailored a style which compensates for the possibility of creaking legs and a reduction in athleticism — Villa conserve energy very well, which has been critical in managing a European schedule — this cannot last forever.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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His payment of $74,330 will go into the Lacey Act Reward Fund, which compensates tipsters who report wildlife crimes, federal authorities said.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Why Afternoon and Evening Exercise Is Best Afternoon and evening exercise (particularly moderate to high intensity) improves blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
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That hybrid design also reduces wear on joints and improves energy efficiency over long distances.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Nothing cures a style rut quite like a little color blocking.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
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The movie, a result of Cook’s wild imagination and British legends, is a horror fantasy drama set in 1893 about Betty Lutey (Beatie Edney), while barred from studying medicine, cures someone with Tuberculosis with a mermaid’a cursed pearl comb.—
James Russell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As a legume, crimson clover also fixes nitrogen in the soil, so this companion plant works double duty.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
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Until Artie Moreno fixes the holes in the ceiling and the holes in the lineup, the only thing consistently lit in Anaheim might be a Closed for Infestation sign.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Berman rehabilitates rabbits that are abandoned, neglected, abused, and in danger of being euthanized.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The charitable series, formerly starring LeAnne Rimes and Luke Grimes, ensures 15-percent of ticket proceeds go to the Saving Grace Equine Healing Foundation that rescues and rehabilitates horses.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mends. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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