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 Labour spurned the chance to tell a positive story about the need to hike taxes to mend Britain’s public services, gutted by years of Conservative austerity. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 Fixing the deep systemic wounds for these specific groups ultimately mends and strengthens the entire corporate structure. Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Cooking and preparing food, spinning and weaving cloth, washing and mending clothes, and caring for the sick were just some of the kinds of labor that supported the fledgling nation. Carolyn Zola, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Fences would definitely need to be mended after the way things ended. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend
Verb
  • According to an account of her testimony in Rolling Stone, Avila was left with severe scarring on her face and left arm, with limited mobility after surgeons grafted skin from her abdomen to repair her arm.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • Ndiaye’s season ended early after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
    Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Authorities say electrical service in La Guaira has recovered to roughly 90%, while more than 5 million liters of water have been distributed across affected areas.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Home prices nationwide have surged since 2012, a year that saw the nation recovering from the Great Recession.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Wellness touches abound, from three types of healing bath salts to positive affirmations on the clothes hangers and musical instruments to strum in lieu of a TV (although the latter is available on request).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026
  • Dumont’s team wondered whether there was a kind of automatic repair mechanism that could heal spans of the fiber when it was subjected to force.
    Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Then incorporate it into performance reviews, and create structures to compensate for the extra time and emotional energy spent on it.
    Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Douglas said automatic gratuities also serve a practical purpose for larger parties, helping to ensure servers are fairly compensated for the additional coordination and service those tables require.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Kyle Schwarber is threatening home run records, even as pitching continues to improve.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Jupiter enters your 6th House of Work and Health, encouraging kinder routines that improve well-being and lighten daily tasks.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • But a dose of doxycycline or amoxicillin can generally cure it.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • But the Shadow has at the very least cured me of my sneakerphobia.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • And 35% of Americans currently disagree with deploying violence to fix their concerns about the direction of the country.
    Saige Miller, NPR, 1 July 2026
  • This way, the hotel staff can fix any issues and help your stay feel far more comfortable.
    Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • In Buzi District alone, 87 classrooms in 24 schools were reconstructed or rehabilitated, benefitting over 11,200 students.
    Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, not every animal can be safely rehabilitated or placed in a family environment.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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