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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mends
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
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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The law also allows private citizens to file suit, claiming the government was defrauded and to keep a portion of any money the federal government recovers.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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In general, Krimmel explained, a housing market tightens, reaches peak seller conditions, cools back toward balance, becomes more buyer-friendly, and eventually recovers again as conditions improve.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The intergenerational duo has kept fans hooked with their surefire wits and complicated relationship that both hurts and heals.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
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Perversely, this division might prove to be the one that heals.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Similar to Vicario, Leno compensates with bravery and competitiveness.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Texas compensates for its lack of income tax revenue with a higher sales tax.—
System Process,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Adjust the inputs and the output improves.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2026
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One of the easiest ways to revive it is by mixing in fresh compost, which improves both texture and nutrient content.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 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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In finance, the gold standard fixes a currency’s value against a specific quantity of a specific object.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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Clover naturally fixes nitrogen-deficient soil and improves soil fertility, which helps nearby plants.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 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 24 Apr. 2026.
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