Synonyms of amend

amend

verb

ə-ˈmend 

1

as in to improve

to make better

trying to amend the situation of the striking workers by supplying them with minimal food supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improve
• enhance
• refine
• remedy
• help
• ameliorate
• upgrade
• remediate
• better
• perfect
• enrich
• revise
• reinforce
• meliorate
• rectify
• correct
• strengthen
• edit
• reform
• rehabilitate
• rework
• intensify
• refurbish
• emend
• fine-tune
• redraft
• revamp
• fortify
• boost
• fine
• hone
• polish
• beef (up)
• rehab
• retouch
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worsen
• impair
• vitiate
• hurt
• injure
• reduce
• spoil
• harm
• damage
• tarnish
• flaw
• deface
• disfigure
• diminish
• mar
• blight
• lessen
• endamage
• lower
• blemish

2

as in to correct

to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

the Bill of Rights was adopted in an effort to amend a constitution that seemed to many to be deficient in guaranteeing individual rights

Synonyms & Similar Words

• correct
• rewrite
• reform
• remedy
• rectify
• improve
• modify
• change
• revise
• emend
• adjust
• repair
• debug
• rework
• shorten
• alter
• right
• red-pencil
• fix
• regulate
• redraw
• redress
• better
• redraft
• ameliorate
• perfect
• cut
• polish
• blue-pencil
• modulate
• restyle
• mend
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impair
• hurt
• injure
• harm
• spoil
• damage
• mar
• aggravate
• worsen

3

as in to reform

to change one's behavior or character for the better

the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improve
• reform
• behave
• better
• shape up
• straighten (up or out)
• regenerate
• clean up one's act
• mend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regress
• backslide

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amend differ from other similar words?

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

The words correct and amend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

When can emend be used instead of amend?

In some situations, the words emend and amend are roughly equivalent. However, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When could rectify be used to replace amend?

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

rectify a misguided policy

Where would redress be a reasonable alternative to amend?

The meanings of redress and amend largely overlap; however, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When might reform be a better fit than amend?

Although the words reform and amend have much in common, reform implies drastic change.

plans to reform the court system

In what contexts can remedy take the place of amend?

While the synonyms remedy and amend 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 would revise be a good substitute for amend?

The words revise and amend can be used in similar contexts, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of amend

Given current pushback from the public, legislators across the country are feeling pressure to create or amend laws governing these technologies. — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

In a statement, ICE downplayed the significance of the memo, which said the new guidance was intended to replace and amend prior directives issued earlier this year, last year and in 2018. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

In April 2025, the United Arab Emirates created a Regulatory Intelligence Office that uses AI to draft and amend federal laws, work once done by legislative staff. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

The state Legislature can amend the measure only with a two-thirds supermajority vote, and any changes would need to further the initiative. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026