ameliorate

[ uh-meel-yuh-reyt, uh-mee-lee-uh- ]

verb (used with or without object)

, a·mel·io·rat·ed, a·mel·io·rat·ing.

1. to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve:

   strategies to ameliorate negative effects on the environment.

   Synonyms: better, amend

   Antonyms: worsen, vitiate

ameliorate

/ əˈmiːljəˌreɪt; əˈmiːljərəbəl /

verb

1. to make or become better; improve

Usage

Ameliorate is often wrongly used where alleviate is meant. Ameliorate is properly used to mean `improve', not `make easier to bear', so one should talk about alleviating pain or hardship, not ameliorating it

Derived Forms

• ameliorable, adjective
• aˈmelioˌrator, noun
• aˈmeliorative, adjective
• aˈmeliorant, noun

Other Words From

• a·mel·io·ra·ble adjective
• a·mel·io·ra·ble·ness noun
• a·mel·io·rant noun
• a·mel·io·ra·tive a·mel·io·ra·to·ry [uh, -, meel, -yer-, uh, -tawr-ee, uh, -, mee, -lee-, uh, -], adjective
• a·mel·io·ra·tor noun
• un·a·mel·io·ra·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ameliorate¹

First recorded in 1770–75; a- ⁵ + meliorate

Word History and Origins

Origin of ameliorate¹

C18: from meliorate , influenced by French améliorer to improve, from Old French ameillorer to make better, from meillor better, from Latin melior

Example Sentences

One way to ameliorate this problem is to trust prosecutors when they concede errors, in the same way we trust them when they negotiate plea agreements or withdraw cases that they do not have the evidence to prove.

From Slate

But they are trying to ameliorate their actions with their words, insisting too that the decision is a matter of “deep regret.”

From BBC

"You're also going to see a detriment to other important functions for norepinephrine that you don't want to see. Targeting these neurons more specifically could help to ameliorate that."

From Science Daily

“But we have seen efforts by predominantly white legislatures to use race to ameliorate the harms from the past,” Ross said.

From Salon

In suggesting concrete actions young people can take to ameliorate the situation unfolding in Gaza, Kristof omitted the most important — pragmatic, organized political action.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• alleviate
• lighten
• mitigate