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
There are still about 20 shops that offer shoe repair services in the metro. — Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026 The report also tracks nine brand repair programs that were created or expanded in the first half of 2026. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
In the aftermath, Blue Origin has moved with uncharacteristic speed to repair its launch pad to get New Glenn flying again, while investing $3 billion in Florida facilities to support a much higher launch cadence. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026 As the owner of her late father’s beloved hardware store, she is often found helping repair just about anything for her fellow locals, leaving very little time for herself. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
Noun
  • Testing will then progress through increasingly higher power levels, allowing engineers to evaluate the reactor core, instrumentation, and integrated systems under operating conditions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • More subpoenas were expected, according to the person who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing probe.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The strange discovery was made earlier this month at the Historic Hayes Farm in Edenton, where restoration specialist Andrew Ownbey is restoring key parts of the 194-acre farming complex.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged an investigation and improvements to restore trust in the system that carried some 45 million travelers last year, including millions of tourists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • That is, using AI to fix problems and do work that slows and impedes the creative process.
    — Mark Schilling, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But fixing this issue is wholly within the power of Gulf states, and the Salalah effort demonstrates there is some interest in doing so.
    — ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Yakima County resident, who had previous health conditions, was exposed to avian influenza at a dairy with infected cattle and had been hospitalized.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Warren, a longtime progressive ally of el Sayed, cast the Michigan Democrat as a candidate voters could trust to stand up to wealthy interests and corporate lobbying, contrasting his record in public health with the influence of money in Washington.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The split vote to kill the tolls sent shockwaves all the way to Raleigh, putting the entire Charlotte region in state lawmakers’ crosshairs before the highway project was ultimately revived in September.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The name revives the original Little Shop, opened at Raffles Singapore in the 1940s.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Teams focused on hardware don’t have the luxury of time afforded to rebuilding teams such as the Bulls, who care more about playing through their young players than racking up wins this season.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • This should be particularly troubling to Floridians, whose communities include Nicaraguans who fled persecution and rebuilt their lives in the United States.
    — Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Furthermore, custom rigid shapes for every new material are expensive, fragile, and difficult to scale.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Many were marginal structures, long abandoned and often in questionable shape, whose conventional market value was close to nothing.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • In the lead-up to the event, Apple also refreshed the iMac and entry-level MacBook Pro with M6 chips.
    — Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Going forward, every opening or relocation will feature the new store concept, while other units have been refreshed, including the Milan and New York City boutiques which the brand plans to relocate in the next few years.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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