repair 1 of 2

as in condition
a state of being or fitness the dining table is in good repair, so you won't need to refinish it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repair

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb repair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of repair are mend, patch, and rebuild. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

When is mend a more appropriate choice than repair?

In some situations, the words mend and repair are roughly equivalent. However, mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is it sensible to use patch instead of repair?

While the synonyms patch and repair are close in meaning, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

Where would rebuild be a reasonable alternative to repair?

The words rebuild and repair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

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 repair
Noun
The strategy of moving fast and breaking things is successful if the other side – or even the process of repair – can’t keep up with all the different strategies. Maya Sen, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2025 The state is expected to spend $50 billion over the next 50 years in an effort to keep the hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system in a good state of repair. Carlos Waters, CNBC, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
Representatives for Bear West BBQ & Soul Food told The Sacramento Bee on Friday that the water heater had been repaired and the restaurant reopened after a weekend-long closure. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 14 Feb. 2025 The garments were collected through Cos Restore, the brand’s in-store garment-collection initiative to clean and repair gently used garments for resale. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for repair 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
Noun
  • Manchester United, Bournemouth, West Ham United and Everton are in advanced talks to participate in the Premier League’s Summer Series event in the United States at the end of July, according to multiple sources familiar with the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
    Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • According to the Associated Press, citing three FDA staffers on the condition of anonymity, probationary employees across the FDA received notices Saturday evening that their jobs were being eliminated.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • President Barack Obama formally restored the name Denali in 2015.
    Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
  • All offseason long the Red Sox have spoken about the need to act with urgency to restore the club to its place as a perennial contender, but after five years of falling short those words were beginning to ring hollow with many fans.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The legislature continues proposes to cut their autonomy to fix their own issues and forcing police to become evictions judges and ICE agents while cutting their funding.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
  • As students continue to fall behind in reading proficiency in the American education system, some teachers are pleading with parents to help fix the problem.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Here are the supplements and meds that work New Florida survey reveals our confusion on heart health.
    David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Our research finds that Baltimore City and Maryland are trailblazers in respecting gender equity in public health data.
    Michelle Kaufman, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Introduced late in the first decade of the 2000s, the program was revived in 2022 as part of a series of insurance reforms that aimed to reduce litigation — and insurance company failures.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025
  • But bleak and uncertain as things seem right now, Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does not want to lose Tampa Bay, the No. 11 media market, which is why the hope is for a deep pocket owner (or owners) from Tampa to emerge and the Tampa stadium plan near Ybor City can be revived.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The unusual trade seemed to indicate the rebuilding Nets didn’t expect to be particularly competitive this season and envisioned themselves picking toward the top of the 2025 draft, where Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is the coveted prize.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
  • That can exacerbate pricing pressures already expected as the Los Angeles community rebuilds in the wake of last month’s wildfires.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The precise calibration of branch diameter leads to a hallmark of fractal shapes called scale invariance.
    Mitchell Newberry, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Retail corridors in Fulton Market, Wicker Park and Bucktown are in good shape.
    Fritz Kaegi, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Traveling especially clears my mind, refreshes my perspective and opens my eyes to new ideas.
    Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 5 Feb. 2025
  • After using this mask for a week, my skin feels firmer, looks brighter, and is so hydrated—like my face went on a retreat and came back dewy, healthy, and refreshed.
    Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 5 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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