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 The credits include $195,500 to fix the gym roof; $40,100 to mend the parking lot; $71,800 to repair the exterior walls; $15,600 to replace a rooftop unit; $32,300 for contingencies; and $50,000 for an environmental reserve, court papers state. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 Art gives permission to work through emotions For Neita, art therapy is a tool for mending rifts in a family. — Donnisa Edmonds, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Turkey is the main foreign backer of Dbeibah's government, but in recent years has also reached out to the rival authorities in eastern Libya in an attempt to mend their ties, and as part of regional efforts to unify the North African country. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 To mend our impaired system, the Senate must end this fast-track approach and restore the 60-vote barrier. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend

Verb

Technical skills matter, but so does knowing how to build trust, repair conflict, rekindle the connection, ask for help, set boundaries, and maintain close relationships.

— Suzan J. Song, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Days said the focus of the project is not changing the machine's appearance or replacing a piece of Pittsburgh history, but repairing the internal components that have long been nonfunctional.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of repair

Verb

With intermittent rain in the forecast over the next week, some sessions could be rescheduled or delayed for hours, corralling fans and shortening the time players have to recover for their next round.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
The dangerous weather conditions — which included 20-knot winds and waves more than eight feet high — prohibited first responders from recovering five bodies that were also found on the vessel, officials said.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

The book centers on his belief that personal transformation can happen even before someone feels completely healed.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
The downside to that would be that King would have to miss a minimum of the team’s first four games — but if King’s hamstring injury is taking a while to heal, such a move could make sense.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of heal

Verb

The official says authorities compensated residents for their land in 1957 after it was seized to build the capital city, Islamabad.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
The bill would compensate community solar developers and customers at a rate that advocates say more accurately accounts for the savings solar brings to the grid, especially on hot days when the system is stressed.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

Chelsea, despite missing out on a late move for Lamine Camara, and Tottenham have improved considerably, but that is more a reflection of previous dysfunction — and a lighter schedule — than inspired recruitment.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Kia's base model can feel a bit barebones, but upper trims feature plenty of creature comforts and tech enhancements that improve its driving and ownership experience.

— Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

Some improved dramatically in just a few days, while others required longer courses to cure their infection and avoid relapse.

— Amy J. Mathers, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Keep scrolling for the rest of our interview with Skilla, who details his bond with 50 Cent, getting features from Nas and Chris Brown and what helped cure his depression.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cure

Verb

Newcastle’s summer wobbled when news emerged in late June that Guimaraes was fixed on Arsenal.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Companies invest heavily in modernization, AI, analytics and new platforms because they’re told fixing their data will solve everything.

— Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of fix

Verb

Dickson himself concedes there is still much work to be done to fully rehabilitate the Gap, as well as its sister brands.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Naples Zoo teams worked to rehabilitate her through nutrition, medical treatment and constant monitoring.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mend

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