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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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
The portion of the ceiling fell in the grand foyer, which will remain closed through the weekend until repairs can be made. Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026 The engine was assembled by Finnish defense company Patria at its new facility in Linnavuori, Nokia, where the company is responsible for assembling Finland’s F135 engines and will eventually carry out their maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
Autonomous navigation Transcatheter closure is a minimally invasive technique that repairs structural heart defects without open-heart surgery. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026 For example, in animal studies, GHK-Cu was able to speed up wound healing and help repair organs, including fibrosis in the lungs. Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
Noun
  • Secor is studying new ink materials designed to withstand extreme conditions, including the temperature swings encountered in space.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Scoggin set bail at $400,000 with no conditions and $200,000 with conditions.
    TIM SULLIVAN, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The latest shutoffs came hours after PG&E restored electricity to all customers affected by a previous round of outages over the weekend.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The bill would restore the NCAA’s one-time transfer exception, which lasted only from 2021 to 2023 before a judge blocked it.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There is a particular sort of helplessness that comes from knowing exactly how to fix a computer while being hundreds of miles away from it.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Definitions are useful in subjects like mathematics, whose components are fixed enough to stay put.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The group claims that HIV treatment has improved in the decades since the military initially categorized HIV as a health problem that disqualifies someone from enlistment.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Companies and health systems that treat ambient documentation as a pure software problem (deploy it, minimize edits and measure only time saved) are more likely to discover the limits the hard way.
    Pat Williams, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • By 2016, Kanarek, who was then living in Greensboro, North Carolina, with Goodwin, a contractor, had revived a childhood enthusiasm for riding and taken up dressage.
    Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Omarzai scored an unbeaten half-century – his second in T20s – and put on 83 runs with Nabi to revive the innings.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • More than a month after a fire destroyed dozens of units at a Foster City condominium complex, some families are still struggling to rebuild their lives.
    Kenny Choi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Though many tourist attractions are open, parts of the region are continuing to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Helene in 2024.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Donald, 35, rejoined the Rams in late August after two seasons away from the team, and the eight-time first team All-Pro defensive tackle has been working his way back into game shape.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The five frame collection takes inspiration from retro-futurism across each color and sculptural shape, offering a unique and bold shape to take center stage in your outfit.
    Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The British broadcaster on Thursday launched a competitive tender for Season 16, in which producers will pitch in a bake-off-style process to refresh the iconic sci-fi series.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • If even one lightly worn outfit per week can be aired or refreshed instead of washed, that adds up to hundreds of gallons of water saved and 52 fewer cycles wearing down your wardrobe.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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