repair 1 of 2

noun

Definition of repairnext
as in condition
a state of being or fitness the dining table is in good repair, so you won't need to refinish it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repair

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈper How to pronounce repair (audio)
1
as in to restore
to bring back to a former condition or vigor it will take some time to repair your energy after a bout with the flu

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to fix
to put into good shape or working order again having trouble finding someone who repairs audio components

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb repair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of repair are mend, patch, and rebuild. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

When is mend a more appropriate choice than repair?

In some situations, the words mend and repair are roughly equivalent. However, mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is it sensible to use patch instead of repair?

While the synonyms patch and repair are close in meaning, 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 repair?

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

a rebuilt automobile engine

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 repair
Noun
Chicken is a complete protein that supports muscle repair, energy, and immune health, but variety in your diet matters. — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 System 0 approach builds on Arc’teryx’s existing ecosystem of wash, repair, trade-in, resale and upcycle. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Hubble is a special case, given that astronauts repaired and upgraded it over the course of five servicing missions between 1993 and 2009. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Therapists have become too quick to support ending difficult relationships instead of helping people develop the skills to repair them. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
  1. condition
  2. restore
  3. fix
  4. health
  5. revive
  6. rebuild
  7. shape
  8. refresh
Noun
  • Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Women would also be screened through a questionnaire, which could then move to treatment for conditions related to hormonal imbalance.
    — Idrees Ali, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of condition
Verb
  • The advocacy group has proposed legislation aimed at restoring competition in digital advertising.
    — Jody Godoy, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Nowadays, the gardens designed for King George IV are being restored, a green lung for the city.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of restore
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
Noun
  • At this point in the WSL’s existence, eight years since becoming a fully professional league, players now ageing out at the title contenders do so with all the advantages — finances, facilities, health — of only knowing full-time football.
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Zambia is particularly sensitive amid tensions over US health assistance and mining, while Kenya is pursuing deeper US trade and investment.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of health
Verb
  • Oil's surge also revived rate-hike jitters, snapping the market's otherwise calm run through a fifth straight winning month.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Mitsubishi is reviving its Pajero nameplate as a flagship three-row SUV for the 2027 model year.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of revive
Verb
  • The barrages prompted Putin last month to decree that the state temporarily can seize control of critical infrastructure facilities if private owners fail to protect them from Ukrainian drone attacks or don’t rebuild them after strikes.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Though the hotel burned down twice, it was rebuilt following the more recent fire of 1925; its present-day structure is inspired by Rome’s Villa Medici.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebuild
Noun
  • The result looks less like a blade simply ground into shape and more like a form sculpted directly from solid steel.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The minimalist shape pairs well with jeans, loungewear, and even dresses.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of shape
Verb
  • Credit line reviews typically follow monthly or quarterly cycles; attrition models are refreshed periodically and applied in batch.
    — Julie Conroy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some viewers had to refresh the page after receiving error messages, indicating high usage levels.
    — Jenni Reid,Alex Buckmaster, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of refresh

Browse Nearby Words

repaid
repair
repairable
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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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