mend

1 of 2

verb

mended; mending; mends

transitive verb

1
: to free from faults or defects: such as
a
: to improve in manners or morals : reform
was advised to mend his ways
b
: to set right : correct
mend a corrupt text
c
: to put into good shape or working order again : patch up : repair
the roads were never mendedEllen Glasgow
d
: to improve or strengthen (something, such as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation
used chiefly in the phrase mend fences
spends the weekend mending political fencesE. O. Hauser
e
: to restore to health : cure
before the bone was fully mendedCurrent Biography
2
: to make amends or atonement for
least said, soonest mended

intransitive verb

1
: to improve morally : reform
It's never too late to mend.
2
: to become corrected or improved
depression and lack of spirit mended visiblyArnold Nicholson
3
: to improve in health
also : heal
his injury mended rather quickly
mendable adjective
mender noun

mend

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act of mending : repair
2
: a mended place
Phrases
on the mend
: getting better : improving
Choose the Right Synonym for mend

mend, repair, patch, rebuild 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

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of mend in a Sentence

Verb The town needs to mend these roads. Fishermen were mending their nets. Her arm mended slowly after surgery. His broken heart never completely mended. Noun You can hardly see the mend in the sleeve.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The question is about getting an old friend back, but Carolyn points to an unhealthy dynamic in the friendship that might need mending instead. Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 Comedian Catherine Cohen had a hole in her heart, and there was only one thing that could mend it: a visit from Dr. Love. Kase Wickman, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024 Their love is not only one that is growing but healing, where both have found solace in each other’s embrace, mending the wounds that life inevitably brings. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 15 Feb. 2024 Later on in life, Jackie and her sons' relationships mended and the family grew closer. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 Can the military command and the civilian government mend the rifts that have divided them and that led to the recent firing of Ukraine’s top general? Marc Santora, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 In medicine, the value of mending lies in reaching a new physical equilibrium after each healing intervention. Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 Jon Cryer has opened up about his rocky past with Pretty in Pink coster Andrew McCarthy — and revealed how The View marked a turning point in mending the on-screen pair's real-life relationship. EW.com, 9 Feb. 2024 Indiana will hope with a week and a day between trips to Madison and Champaign that Ware’s leg will have time to mend. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Jan. 2024
Noun
However, by Wednesday, the team provided an update, saying the dog was on the mend. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 The same went for their mom, who was on the mend and in good spirits. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 Danvers is shown laughing with her once estranged stepdaughter, a relationship on the mend. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2024 Two German shepherd mix puppies with massive neck injuries are on the mend at the Sacramento SPCA after they were left outside the shelter in late February. Emily Zentner, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s 24-year-old daughter, is on the mend after suffering a stroke last week. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2024 Snoop Dogg and Shanté Broadus’ daughter Cori Broadus is on the mend after experiencing a severe stroke last Thursday. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2024 The common view of Perry, including right after his death, is that his life and career were finally on the mend, compounding the tragedy of his death. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2024 Austin remains in the hospital as of this writing, although he has been removed from intensive care and is said to be on the mend. The Editors, National Review, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, short for amenden — more at amend

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mend was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near mend

Cite this Entry

“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mend. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mend

1 of 2 verb
1
: to improve in manners or morals : reform
2
: to put into good shape or working order again
3
: to improve in health
also : heal
mendable adjective
mender noun

mend

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of mending : repair
2
: a mended place

Medical Definition

mend

1 of 2 transitive verb
: to restore to health : cure
time will mend the broken bone

intransitive verb

: to improve in health
also : heal

mend

2 of 2 noun
: an act of mending or repair

More from Merriam-Webster on mend

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