repair 1 of 2

Definition of repairnext
as in condition
a state of being or fitness the dining table is in good repair, so you won't need to refinish it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb repair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of repair are mend, patch, and rebuild. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

When is mend a more appropriate choice than repair?

In some situations, the words mend and repair are roughly equivalent. However, mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is it sensible to use patch instead of repair?

While the synonyms patch and repair are close in meaning, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

Where would rebuild be a reasonable alternative to repair?

The words rebuild and repair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

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 repair
Noun
Commentator Rampage Jackson indicated the need for an operation, explaining that bicep tears typically require immediate surgical repair. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 All of this can lead to higher repair costs, not to mention shortening your vehicle’s lifespan. Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
Left unchecked, water damage will only get worse and more costly to repair. Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 Improvements would include repairing the aging triple cantilever and fixing drainage, railings and lighting. Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
Noun
  • His brother had been born with a congenital condition and did not have a left hand.
    Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Advocates for Baltimore's homeless community are calling on Maryland's General Assembly to investigate living conditions at several hotels the city purchased and turned into shelters.
    Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Preparations are underway to replace the foundation of this streetlight so wiring repairs can be made to restore lighting.
    Elle McLogan, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Vestige currently has 25 properties in Spain in various states of being restored.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Nearby on Reisterstown Road, a camera at Neha Gupta's salon captured the bus smashing into her sign, and that damage has yet to be fixed.
    Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Other facility resources, including microwaves, have also been damaged, and can temporarily limit access to resources while they are fixed.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Most of the gains occurred during the initial stages of the health emergency when student loan payments were paused.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Thomas Babor, a professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine who studies alcohol addiction, told Time that lighter, more health-conscious drinkers appear to be the ones scaling back.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Now, Trump claims to have used the threat to revive the Keystone XL pipeline.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Researcher Lynn Wong is eager to revive the festival in Singapore through an initiative called Qixi Fest, a multiday event launched in 2023.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The warehouse operator sought a City of Los Angeles permit to rebuild, but Bass ordered a pause on that in July.
    Julie Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Although much of the media attention on Harry and Meghan has focused on family tensions and recriminations in recent years, Owens suggested that the story may now shift to the royal’s efforts to rebuild family harmony.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 A little quiet can help your next big idea find its shape.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Super Zoom is better at capturing predictable items, such as objects and animals with consistent shapes and details that AI can more easily interpret.
    Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ever since Bob Dylan cut Nashville Skyline in 1969, rockers have been going to Music City to refresh their sounds, kick it with the world’s best session pros, and drink deep the rejuvenating well of local realness.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Look for solutions that integrate seamlessly into your existing claims systems, provide frequently refreshed and validated property data, and support the workflows your adjusters already rely on.
    David Tobias, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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