emended; emending; emends

transitive verb

: to correct usually by textual alterations
emended the manuscript
emendable adjective
emender noun
Choose the Right Synonym for emend

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong.

correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes

amend a law

, reform implying drastic change

plans to reform the court system

, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples of emend in a Sentence

the first printout quickly revealed that our computer program needed to be emended
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Editor’s Note: This article has been emended since its initial publication. Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 24 Jan. 2020 Since preservation is no longer an issue, why not amend and emend the rules to play out the final? Jon Wertheim, SI.com, 24 July 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin emendare — more at amend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near emend

Cite this Entry

“Emend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emend. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

emend

verb
: to correct usually by changing the wording of
emend a text
emendation
ˌē-ˌmen-ˈdā-shən
ˌem-ən-
noun

Medical Definition

Emend

trademark
used for a preparation of aprepitant

More from Merriam-Webster on emend

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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