repair 1 of 2

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

repair

2 of 2

verb

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
Monro has more than 1,250 auto repair shops and tire dealers across 32 states, according to the company website. Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 2 June 2025 Darts, which was founded in 1974, helps people 55 and older live independently by offering services like housework, outdoor chores, home repairs, technology guidance, caregiving resources, connections and transportation. Mars King, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Verb
State Department of Transportation crews responded to repair the guardrail. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025 Earhart and Putnam scraped together enough cash to repair the Electra within two months. Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for repair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
Noun
  • The industry continued to grow until 2020, when a combination of weather and economic conditions dealt setbacks to farmers and processors alike.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • Noem said in a May statement that safety and economic conditions had improved in the country enough to warrant the program termination, which could lead to the deportation of thousands of Afghans residing in the U.S. upon its July 14 end date.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The council has spent months deliberating the budget and, most recently, decided to restore funding for a residential parking program, youth events and immigrant legal aid.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
  • The university has made various concessions to the government — including more oversight of Middle Eastern studies and ways of cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests — that have so far proved insufficient to restore the funding.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • As of now, the issue has mostly been fixed, though not entirely.
    Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • Keep in mind that bush-type beans and peas generally don't need support, but pole beans require trellises or cages for their vining stems. Lupines: Many growers don't realize that lupines belong to the legume family and can also benefit neighboring plants with their nitrogen fixing roots.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • New research suggests just one cup of beans daily could lower heart health markers or inflammation in people with prediabetes.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 5 June 2025
  • The total could be much more: A special message sent to lawmakers outlines as much as $900 million in rescissions to global health.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, critics like White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have revived the concept of reverse discrimination.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • Her outfit not only revived a late ’90s Mugler design, but the little black dress also nodded to an ongoing trend of creative takes on the wardrobe staple.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Any serious proposals to rebuild and stabilize the African American community must include the Black church at the table.
    Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • His approach was patient and decisive, allow the company as a whole to rebuild trust and achieve significant financial growth.
    David Villa, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • These highlight a growing phenomenon where high-profile figures - intentionally or not - shape health trends through their platforms.
    John Samuels, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Most of my friends and contemporaries are in very good shape.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Participants are assigned real projects, receive mentorship from senior leaders, and are offered training to refresh technical and soft skills.
    Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • While sports bars have a mixed track record of late—Hooters filed for bankruptcy two months ago—investors have started showing heightened interest in refreshing the concept.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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