reform 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reformnext
as in amendment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reform

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce reform (audio)
1
as in to rehabilitate
to make better in behavior or character volunteers at a sanctuary that tries to reform dogs with behavior problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better a man who's been trying to reform ever since he got fired for missing too many days of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to amend
to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from he had better reform his ways if he wants any of us to trust him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reform differ from other similar words?

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

plans to reform the court system

How does the word amend relate to other synonyms for reform?

Amend, reform, and 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 reform?

The meanings of correct and reform largely overlap; however, correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

Where would emend be a reasonable alternative to reform?

Although the words emend and reform have much in common, emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

When is rectify a more appropriate choice than reform?

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

rectify a misguided policy

When would redress be a good substitute for reform?

The words redress and reform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

When can remedy be used instead of reform?

While the synonyms remedy and reform 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 might revise be a better fit than reform?

The synonyms revise and reform are sometimes interchangeable, but revise suggests a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reform
Noun
During her program, the reality star has also advocated for Criminal Justice reform. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 22 May 2025 Although lawmakers who endorsed eviction reform said many of their colleagues privately supported it, not enough of them were willing to go public with that support by voting in favor of the bill. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2025
Verb
Later Tuesday, the House Agriculture Committee will mark up its proposal to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which assists more than 42 million low-income Americans to buy food. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 13 May 2025 Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits. —Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform
  1. amendment
  2. rehabilitate
  3. improve
  4. amend
  5. revision
  6. redeem
  7. better
  8. correct
Noun
  • It is now headed to the Senate for consideration, with amendments likely.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
  • Over the past week, the Budget committee released a draft and a chairman’s amendment as the bill went through markup.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of amendment
Verb
  • Our investigation found that a large number of the private agencies deliberately kept the children in their care and out of the adoption market, making little or no effort to rehabilitate their parents.
    — Stewart Ain, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
  • State officials say this is the fourth young cub in the past five years that’s been brought in to be rehabilitated.
    — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • Trump 100 days: Former president's success created measuring stick for future leaders From Trump to Reagan: Their first 100 days Trump promised to improve the economy on Day 1.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • However, the latest reports suggest that situation is improving, albeit with lowball offers.
    — Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of improve
Verb
  • The response was not enough for Rascon-Rivas, who started an online petition to amend the policy, the outlet reported.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The constitutional amendment, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, would prohibit the state Legislature from amending or repealing constitutional amendments and require a statewide vote by the people before changing the state's direct democracy process.
    — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Definition of amend
Noun
  • In the last 30 days, there have been no negative revisions of earnings estimates.
    — MoneyShow, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • In the aftermath of these potential revisions being leaked, Amnesty International USA raised the alarm, declaring that the shifts signaled that the United States is no longer going to uphold—or hold other countries accountable for upholding—human rights.
    — Time, Time, 21 May 2025
Definition of revision
Verb
  • Benning redeemed himself minutes later, threading a blue-line blast through traffic on a late-period power play to tie the game at 2-2, reawakening the Charlotte crowd and shifting momentum back to the home team.
    — Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Chargers Jim Harbaugh taking a new approach to evaluating Chargers’ rookie talent May 10, 2025 Week 17, HOUSTON, TBD: Herbert can redeem himself against the defense that grabbed four interceptions in the Chargers’ 2024 playoff flop.
    — Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • Obviously being able to better more precisely diagnose conditions and to test samples at a genetic level represents advancement in science and an improvement in our understanding of our own body.
    — Dylan Scott, Vox, 26 May 2025
  • Still, Simone has apparently done some work toward bettering her mental health.
    — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Definition of better
Verb
  • But given that Brendan was just carved up, Kev quickly corrects his mum.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 18 May 2025
  • This story has been corrected to show that Boston and Reese got double technical fouls, not Clark and Reese.
    — Michael Marot, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

refocusing
reform
reformable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on reform

Nglish: Translation of reform for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reform

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Commonly Misspelled Words

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Possum vs. Opossum: Is There a Difference?

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Commonly Misspelled Words

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All