reform 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reformnext
as in amendment

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reform

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce reform (audio)
1
as in to rehabilitate
to make better in behavior or character volunteers at a sanctuary that tries to reform dogs with behavior problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better a man who's been trying to reform ever since he got fired for missing too many days of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to amend
to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from he had better reform his ways if he wants any of us to trust him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reform differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reform are amend, correct, emend, rectify, redress, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for reform?

Amend, reform, and revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of reform?

The meanings of correct and reform largely overlap; however, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to reform?

Although the words emend and reform have much in common, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than reform?

While in some cases nearly identical to reform, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

When would redress be a good substitute for reform?

The words redress and reform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When can remedy be used instead of reform?

While the synonyms remedy and reform are close in meaning, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When might revise be a better fit than reform?

The synonyms revise and reform are sometimes interchangeable, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

How does the verb reform differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reform are amend, correct, emend, rectify, redress, remedy, and revise. While all these words mean "to make right what is wrong," reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for reform?

Amend, reform, and revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes.

amend a law

When is it sensible to use correct instead of reform?

The meanings of correct and reform largely overlap; however, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to reform?

Although the words emend and reform have much in common, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than reform?

While in some cases nearly identical to reform, rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

When would redress be a good substitute for reform?

The words redress and reform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When can remedy be used instead of reform?

While the synonyms remedy and reform are close in meaning, remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

When might revise be a better fit than reform?

The synonyms revise and reform are sometimes interchangeable, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

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 reform
Noun
Additionally, most of the blame for our present immigration problem lies with Congress for not passing any immigration reform for the past two decades. —Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 What is prompting my discussion of the issue this time is that a certain reform proposal has been getting a lot of press lately. —Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
The deeper challenge for all states is to reform a global financial architecture that evolved based on the interests of a handful of Western creditor states, at the cost of austerity and social destruction elsewhere. —Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 Maybe reformed the sausage into meatballs and sauteed them? —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform
  1. amendment
  2. rehabilitate
  3. improve
  4. amend
  5. revision
  6. redeem
  7. better
  8. correct
Noun
  • The key language in the amendment was also included in citizenship laws enacted in 1940 and 1952.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • By 1979, 39 states had active applications for Congress to call an Article V convention to propose a fiscal responsibility amendment, but Congress failed to act.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of amendment
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
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • About a decade ago, a group of competitive CrossFitters in Charleston, South Carolina, went looking for ways to improve their athletic performance without taking steroids.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Money would help improve services for pets and residents.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • And Cipriani later amended his complaint adding Paramount, David and Larry Ellisons, RedBird Capital and Paramount’s board of directors as defendants.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended in 1996, directed the EPA to publish the Contaminant Candidate List every five years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of amend
Noun
  • This is a rendering of Portman Holdings' plan for Amsterdam Walk, which has undergone multiple revisions to tweak its building heights and density.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Major changes to higher education funding should reflect the different roles institutions play in serving students and the state’s economy — and such significant revisions must be studied, piloted and refined, not rushed.
    — Mark Denzler, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of revision
Verb
  • After the terrible first period, the B’s started to redeem themselves with much better play in the second.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
  • To get the discount, guests must redeem the deal through the Farmer Boys VIF App.
    — Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • Just like any other tech transformation, there are sure to be growing pains—but people can better their chances by adding AI to their arsenal.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Many criticized the program as a distraction from the country’s problems and a waste of money that the government could instead use to better the lives of everyday Americans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Violations were corrected later, records show.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

refocusing
reform
reformable
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Cite this Entry

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reform

Nglish: Translation of reform for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reform

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