mend

Definition of mendnext
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as in to compensate
to make up for (an offense) the proverb "least said, soonest mended" should be heeded by anyone tempted to angrily blurt out things they really don't mean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better everyone's written her off as a liar and a thief, but I say it's never too late to mend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mend are patch, rebuild, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is patch a more appropriate choice than mend?

Although the words patch and mend have much in common, 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 mend?

The words rebuild and mend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When can repair be used instead of mend?

The words repair and mend can be used in similar contexts, but repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

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 mend John heads off to lunch to try to mend things with Caroline, to whom neither of them has spoken since the party. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 Yet, as a new play begins to brew in his mind, Jack resolves to mend their relationship. Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026 General Daily Insight for February 28, 2026 Soft words can mend small rifts around us. Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 Soft words can mend small rifts around us. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • Then came the unexpected season-long absence of captain Aleksander Barkov, who needed surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee after an injury less than an hour into his first practice of training camp.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Nathan Swain repairs a ford just west of the settlement that was washed away during a recent rainstorm.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • UConn recovered from its prolonged shooting slump to regain its bearings, eventually increasing its lead to 10 points on a Mullins’ 3 with 47 seconds left in the half before heading into the locker room up 37-29.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • All six crew members from the three planes ejected and were safely recovered, CENTCOM said.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The relationship healed after Howard was hired as Michigan’s basketball coach in 2019.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The relationship healed after Howard was hired as Michigan's basketball coach in 2019.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But where other comics might lean on quantity as a crutch to compensate for quality, Kashian genuinely just has this much to say.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Even Sorokin could not compensate against the Penguins, who got solid goaltending from Arturs Silovs.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sacramento improved its position in the lottery standings, gaining ground on the Nets and Indiana Pacers, who beat the Miami Heat 135-118 after losing 18 of their last 19 games.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Albin is confident the offensive line will improve this season, allowing the signal callers to take command of the offense.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This could allow for greater design flexibility, as lower curing deformation results in fewer distortions during production.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Allow the rhizomes to cure for a couple of days, then store them in peat moss in a cool (40-50°F), dark place such as an unheated cellar, garage or crawlspace.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The hand sink and three-compartment sink in the produce prep area have been fixed and are fully operational, allowing the area to reopen for food production.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Doing your job, even if that job requires fixing his mistakes, isn’t enabling.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For eight years, Ruth has cared for and rehabilitated non-native exotic animals like bearded dragons, guinea pigs, sugar gliders and leopard geckos in hopes of one day finding them a forever home.
    Julian Camejo, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The original agreement required the developer to rehabilitate a building already on the site to provide a workspace for parks employees.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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