MEND Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mend

verb

ˈmend

Definition of mend

as in to repair

to put into good shape or working order again that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it

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as in to recover

to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu

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as in to heal

to restore to a healthy condition mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again

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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

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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

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as in to cure

to bring about recovery from the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart

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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 Maybe one day, Harry and William will mend things and appear in public together. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 5 Oct. 2026 In fact, a more moderate president could prove even more dangerous to the Islamic Republic by mending Washington’s international relationships and getting Asian, European, and Middle Eastern partners to help more with its campaign against Iran. — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 Quavo sat down with Complex’s Idea Generation and talked about how Takeoff’s untimely death helped mend his fractured relationship with their childhood friend and fellow Migos groupmate. — Angel Diaz, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026 This is a small but sound starting point toward trying to mend some of humanity’s challenges. — Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend

Verb

The foods were moved to the walk-in cooler and a work order placed to repair the refrigerator.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Nothing would lure them back to repair the fracture; not a 1998 tribute record, nor a £2 million reunion offer.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of repair

Verb

The condor’s return shows that nearly extinct species can recover with help.

— David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
For executives, that means not only developing the resilience to perform under pressure, but also recognizing when to step back and recover.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

For Wilder residents, the La Catedral raid remains an open wound that refuses to heal.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Carson draws parallels between the familial traumas of those who remain and the broader societal wounds of a province still healing from decades of sectarian violence.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of heal

Verb

If all goes well, that could be a massive amount of capital in one fund, and still be too little to compensate for jobs lost to AI.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The settlement requires Instacart to establish a fund of up to $4 million to compensate job applicants and people who were allegedly deterred from applying to Instacart between December 2023 and February 2026.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

The performance of hydrocarbons must be considered as part of a wider system that is simultaneously scaling clean electricity input and improving efficiency across the value chain.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
In comparison, 58% say state and local governments improve their lives, while 56% say the same of businesses and 77% of charitable and advocacy groups.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

After receiving a notice, an insurer may investigate the allegations, dispute them, or take steps to cure the alleged violation.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Rocket Lab still needs to build a new forward dome, then cure and inspect it — steps that are expected to be complete by the end of the year, according to Beck.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of cure

Verb

The reality is that organizing alone can’t fix a system stacked against us.

— Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Gass said the company acted fast to fix this by putting more inventory behind popular trends such as low-rise jeans, stepping up marketing to boost customer traffic and improving store and digital checkout rates.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fix

Verb

In her experience, the criminal justice system doesn’t do nearly enough to rehabilitate the incarcerated and address the underlying issues, often based in trauma, that lead people to commit crimes.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
As of Saturday, the ministry said, more than 270 wild animals in Indonesia's part of Borneo had been rescued, rehabilitated or guided to safer habitats, including 46 orangutans rescued by YIARI.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Cite this Entry

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“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mend. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mend

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