mend
/mɛnd/
Reviewed on
Type
Verb
Meaning
To repair something that is broken, torn, or damaged so that it can be used again.
He spent the morning mending a torn jacket before heading out into the cold.
Can this wooden gate be mended without replacing the entire post?
To heal or knit back together after an injury, especially a broken bone.
The doctor assured her that the fractured collarbone would mend within two months.
Her wrist did not mend properly because she took the cast off too early.
To improve, repair, or resolve a damaged relationship, dispute, or bad situation.
The two neighbors met over coffee to mend their friendship after months of silence.
Will a public apology be enough to mend relations between the business partners?
How it's used
When this means “repair an object”
- mend the torn seam
“mend it.”
She sat by the lamp to mend the torn seam.
When this means “knit together naturally”
- the bone is mending
The broken leg is mending slowly.
When this means “improve a relationship”
- mend the rift
“mend it.”
They tried hard to mend the rift between them.
Collocations
- mend clothes
- mend a tear
- mend a broken bone
- mend relations
Synonyms
- repair
- fix
- patch
- heal
- resolve
Antonyms
- break
- damage
- worsen
Idioms
on the mend
recovering from an illness, injury, or setback
After a difficult week with the flu, she is finally on the mend.
mend fences
re-establish good relations with someone after a conflict
The senator traveled across the state to mend fences with local leaders.
mend one's ways
improve bad behavior or habits
The judge warned him to mend his ways or face jail time.