EN

Synonyms for mend

  • verb
  • noun

Most common

restore fix patch re-form repair doctor make good

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Restore — to physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged)

restore, fix, patch, re-form, rectify, patch up, help, correct, rehabilitate, amend, improve, remedy, renew, refurbish, renovate, right, recondition, ameliorate, meliorate, revamp, promote, vamp

2. Repair

repair, doctor, touch on, bushel US, furbish up

3. Set straight — to correct or put right (an error, a fault, etc.); to rectify, to remedy

make good, better, set straight

Other

heal

Noun

1. Fixing

fixing, reparation, fixture

Other

fix-up, darn

Antonyms

break, damage, ruin

All antonyms of mend →

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged).

    My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.

  2. v. 2

    To correct or put right (an error, a fault, etc.); to rectify, to remedy.

  3. v. 3

    To add fuel to (a fire).

  4. n. 1

    Senses relating to improvement or repairing. An act of repairing.

    My trousers have a big rip in them and need a mend.

Related words

Word family
mendable mender mends

Forms

Plural
mends → fixings, reparations, fixtures, fix-ups…
Past participle
mended
e.g. mended → restored, fixt, patched, re-formed…

Choose the right word

Mend, Repair, Correct or Amend?

We mend a tool, repair a building, correct proof; we amend character or conduct that is faulty, or a statement or law that is defective.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • restore Sami was determined to restore his sister's honor.
  • rectify We need to take steps to rectify the situation.
  • repair After his knee repair, he could walk without pain.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
mendrising
restoresteady
rectifysteady
rehabilitatefalling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
fix1
4 letters
help1, heal1, darn1, vamp1
5 letters
right1, patch1, renew2, amend2
6 letters
better2, doctor2, repair2, fixing2, remedy3, revamp2, bushel2
7 letters
correct2, improve2, promote2, restore2, fixture2, rectify3
8 letters
renovate3
9 letters
refurbish3, meliorate
10 letters
ameliorate4, reparation4
11 letters
recondition4
12 letters
rehabilitate5

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (renew2 = 2 syllables).

In other languages

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