reform 1 of 2

reform

2 of 2

verb

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

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

Examples 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
Internationalizing the yuan is arguably the Xi era’s most important financial reform. William Pesek, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 Both city staff and council agreed that the reforms were enough to make rejoining beneficial. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
After the Capitol riot in 2021, Congress moved to reform the Electoral Count Act — an 1887 law that governed the counting of electoral votes — to prevent another effort to overturn the results of a presidential election. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025 Zoom out: In response to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results,Congress passed legislation to reform an 1887 law that determined how presidential elections are certified. Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reform 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform
Noun
  • The Senate will vote on amendments to the bill, which may include removing language related to state attorneys general.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Aldermen voted 39-11 to table the vote on an amendment from Southwest Side Alds.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Part of its role was to rehabilitate drug addicts using a naval regimen—a noble yet undignified service for a generation-defining yacht.
    Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2025
  • After the death in 1971 of Lin Biao, one of Mao’s key lieutenants, Hu was allowed to return to Beijing but was not fully rehabilitated into the ranks of the party elite.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This rule is another opportunity to improve our air quality and protect public health while supporting a thriving restaurant industry.
    Michael Seilback, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Removing medical debt from credit reports On Jan. 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule that will remove around $49 billion in medical bills from consumer credit reports, improving the credit score of more than 15 million Americans.
    Chad de Guzman, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The merger points amend Fubo’s carriage agreements with Fox and Disney, the latter creating a new Sports & Broadcasting offering to include, on the Disney side, ESPN+, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN and ESPNEWS.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The law was amended in 2018 to allow local companies to crowdfund up to $5 million from unaccredited (or non-professional) investors per year.
    Jessica Boehm, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The initial estimate for the final quarter of 2024 suggests a further contraction of 0.1 percent, though this figure remains subject to revision as more detailed data for December becomes available.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • In addition to the payroll gain for December, there were only modest net downward revisions of 8,000 jobs to the previous two payroll figures, with a 7,000 job revision higher in October but a 15,000 job revision lower for November.
    Jason Schenker, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, those assuming Jod would be redeemed by the end were sorely mistaken.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • As a reminder, PS Plus' monthly free games for January can still be redeemed.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The heartbroken sister remembered her brother as a kind-hearted and family-oriented man working to better his life.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Exercise isn’t the only way people try to better themselves when a new calendar sets in.
    Jack Butler, National Review, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This story has been corrected to show that Berkowitz works at Georgetown University, not George Washington University.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Keep an open mind when your partner, family members or friends point out differences in your parenting and be ready to correct it.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near reform

Cite this Entry

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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