reform 1 of 2

1
as in to rehabilitate
to make better in behavior or character volunteers at a sanctuary that tries to reform dogs with behavior problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to improve
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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

reform

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reform differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reform are amend, correct, emend, rectify, redress, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for reform?

Amend, reform, and revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of reform?

The meanings of correct and reform largely overlap; however, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to reform?

Although the words emend and reform have much in common, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than reform?

While in some cases nearly identical to reform, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

When would redress be a good substitute for reform?

The words redress and reform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When can remedy be used instead of reform?

While the synonyms remedy and reform are close in meaning, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When might revise be a better fit than reform?

The synonyms revise and reform are sometimes interchangeable, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

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 reform
Verb
The working group was created as part of a towing reform law passed in response to a ProPublica and Connecticut Mirror investigation into towing practices in the state. Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025 While state law grants oversight boards subpoena power, requests for certain personnel records are routinely denied, limiting oversight boards’ ability to make informed recommendations about officer discipline or policy reform. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
After a lengthy hiatus beginning in the ‘80s, the Rubinoos reformed in 2006 and are still at it today. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025 Kennedy holds views that clash sharply with the president’s legal reform agenda and should appall anyone who supports the president’s goal of reforming America’s legal system. Tiger Joyce, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform
Verb
  • Woodruff missed all last year and the first half of this season rehabilitating from shoulder surgery.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • While Madea rehabilitates her co-prisoners, her family on the outside struggles with the usual family issues.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Skilled operators will harness technology to improve efficiency and resilience.
    Maurice Obeid, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The divine-smelling duo pumps up thin strands like any volumizing formula, but then uses botanical extracts (pea sprout) and Capixyl (made from a biomimetic peptide and red clover extract) to improve scalp health.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The agenda includes legislation to amend the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act and reauthorize the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program at $60,000,000 through 2032.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Wiener’s bill was recently amended to apply to only local and federal law enforcement agents.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Under the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, and later amendments to it, Congress exercises oversight over the Fed, its policies, and appointments to its Board of Governors.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The proposal, the Republican lawmaker explained, will include provisions affecting both homestead and non-homestead properties, but details of the amendment are still being formulated.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For everyday consumers, this change dramatically expands the ways to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles—not just by flying, but by tapping into credit card spending.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • There isn’t much redeeming value in this music, something Táparo is well aware of.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Postecoglou, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic manager, saw his side bettered by an Arsenal team that will surely be among the Premier League title contenders, thanks to two goals from Martin Zubimendi and another from Viktor Gyokeres.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The new Siri will be able to better fulfill queries by tapping into the open web, on-screen content and a user’s data.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Denver Post will update the story as quickly as possible to correct any errors.
    The Denver Post, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Angels have worked to correct the technique.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The revision, which would be not a hardback book but an online-only edition, requiring a subscription, was expected to take decades.
    Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Since then, on September 9, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released preliminary revisions to payroll data, showing that 911,000 fewer jobs were created in the twelve months through March 2025 than were initially reported.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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