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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heals
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cures
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mends
Fixing the deep systemic wounds for these specific groups ultimately mends and strengthens the entire corporate structure.
—
Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
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
Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mends
Verb
-
Delilah becomes single, repairs her relationship with Percy and allows her friend to take control of the Tavern.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
-
Many newer systems still have significant useful life remaining, making repairs a better financial value.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
It’s measured by the second call, the escalation, the customer who quietly disappears or the relationship that never recovers.—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Florida may have to potentially pay Grady $50,000 more than David if the state recovers $1 million from Roku.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Time heals all and, in a few years, Meslier will perhaps be remembered for the two Championship titles and that unforgettable 2020-21 season with Bielsa in his pomp.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Because when an encounter — with a lover, a friend, a stranger or a new film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi — takes you to a place that transforms you, enlarges you and heals the hairline cracks where all the hope keeps leaking out, there is no such thing as too long spent there.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The software continuously compensates for momentum, helping maintain accurate positioning during movement, according to its website.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
-
There is no meaningful amount of last-minute effort that compensates for months of unfocused or incomplete readiness.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But as the technology improves, the data could become more sensitive.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Quiet propulsion advantage A key feature of the aircraft is Whisper Aero’s JetFoil technology, which the company says improves efficiency while reducing acoustic signatures.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Autoclave technology takes pre-impregnated carbon-fiber shapes and then cures them under high pressure and temperature to deliver maximum structural rigidity and weight savings.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
4 June 2026
-
Aids digestion and assimulation, cures dyspepsia, cures neuralgia and sick headache, invigorates the brain and nervous system.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The model writes the code, runs the tests, reads the errors, fixes the code, runs the tests again, and reports back when something is shipped.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Beside her, the dog shakes itself, droplets flying from it, then fixes her with an appraising gaze.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Chester Leonard rehabilitates wounded bald eagles and other large raptors at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke.—
DANA HEDGPETH THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
-
Berman rehabilitates rabbits that are abandoned, neglected, abused, and in danger of being euthanized.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mends. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
