amend

[ uh-mend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from (a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure:

   Congress may amend the proposed tax bill.

2. to change for the better; improve:

   to amend one's ways.

3. to remove or correct faults in; rectify.

   Synonyms: remedy, better, ameliorate, correct

   Antonyms: worsen

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become better by reforming oneself:

   He amends day by day.

amend

/ əˈmɛnd /

verb

1. to improve; change for the better
2. to remove faults from; correct
3. to alter or revise (legislation, a constitution, etc) by formal procedure

Derived Forms

• aˈmender, noun
• aˈmendable, adjective

Other Words From

• a·mend·a·ble adjective
• a·mend·er noun
• non·a·mend·a·ble adjective
• re·a·mend verb
• un·a·mend·a·ble adjective
• un·a·mend·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amend¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English amenden, from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre “to correct,” equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + mend(a) “blemish” + -āre infinitive suffix; e- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of amend¹

C13: from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre to emend

Synonym Study

Amend, emend both mean to improve by correcting or by freeing from error. Amend is the general term, used of any such correction in detail: to amend spelling, punctuation, grammar. Emend usually applies to the correction of a text in the process of editing or preparing for publication; it implies improvement in the sense of greater accuracy: He emended the text of the play by restoring the original reading.

Example Sentences

If the bill passes its first vote later this month, it will receive further scrutiny from MPs and peers, who could choose to amend it.

From BBC

If the bill passes the first vote, it will receive further scrutiny from MPs and peers, who could choose to amend it.

From BBC

At the end of 2023, Judge Tanya Chutkan paused Jack Smith’s election interference case while the Supreme Court considered Trump’s presidential-immunity appeal—and it remained paused for two months after the court released its decision, while Smith considered how to amend the charges in his indictment.

From Slate

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Prop 1 in New York state would amend the state constitution to enshrine abortion/reproductive rights and would outlaw, in the same amendment, discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy.

From Slate

If passed, the initiative would amend the Florida state constitution to prohibit government interference with the right to abortion before viability.

From Salon

Related Words

• alter
• enhance
• lift
• modify
• rectify
• revise