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reform

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of reform

1 to make better in behavior or character

  • volunteers at a sanctuary that tries to reform dogs with behavior problems
Synonyms of reform

habilitate, reclaim, redeem, regenerate, rehabilitate
Words Related to reform

reeducate

amend, improve, refine

cleanse, purify, restore
Near Antonyms of reform

abase, canker, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lower, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp

2 to change one's behavior or character for the better

  • a man who's been trying to reform ever since he got fired for missing too many days of work
Synonyms of reform

amend, mend, shape up, straighten (up or out)
Words Related to reform

behave, regenerate

better, improve
Phrases Synonymous with reform

clean up one's act
Near Antonyms of reform

backslide, regress

3 to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

  • he had better reform his ways if he wants any of us to trust him
Synonyms of reform

amend, correct, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, remedy
Words Related to reform

redraft, redraw, restyle, revise, rework, rewrite

blue-pencil, cut, shorten

redress, right

ameliorate, better, improve

perfect, polish, touch up

fix, mend, repair

adjust, modulate, regulate

alter, change, modify
Near Antonyms of reform

damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, spoil

aggravate, worsen

Synonym Discussion of reform

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong. correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.
    • correct your spelling
rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.
    • rectify a misguided policy
emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.
    • emend a text
remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.
    • set out to remedy the evils of the world
redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.
    • redress past social injustices
amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes
    • amend a law
, reform implying drastic change
    • plans to reform the court system
, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.
    • revise the schedule

Learn More about reform

  1. See words that rhyme with reform Dictionary: Definition of reform Spanish Central: Translation of reform Nglish: Translation of reform for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reform for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reform

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