amends
noun
ə-ˈmen(d)z 
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: compensation for a loss or injury : recompense
trying to make amends for his bad behavior
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The gritty family drama follows Max (Cox), a dying convict who tries to make amends with his estranged daughter Maxine (Beckinsale) and grandson. 
Michaela Zee, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 The first step to even have a chance at reconciling is for one person to take a step back and attempt to de-escalate, apologize, extend an olive branch, offer to make amends. Johnny Lam, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 John Carroll coach Jim Fendryk told his group the first-half effort wasn’t good enough, and the Patriots were quick to make amends. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2022 There was no opportunity for the driver who struck his vehicle to make amends. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 The singer promised to make amends with a rescheduled date. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2022 Elsewhere, Elrond travels to the dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm to make amends with Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur) and partake in a glorious feast with Durin's wife, Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete). Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 This is an important year for Brown to make amends after finishing fourth in the 100-yard fly in 2020 and got disqualified in the start during last year's finals. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 Following a stay in Utah, LaBeouf attempted to make amends with his father. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Michaela Zee, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 The first step to even have a chance at reconciling is for one person to take a step back and attempt to de-escalate, apologize, extend an olive branch, offer to make amends. Johnny Lam, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 John Carroll coach Jim Fendryk told his group the first-half effort wasn’t good enough, and the Patriots were quick to make amends. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2022 There was no opportunity for the driver who struck his vehicle to make amends. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 The singer promised to make amends with a rescheduled date. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2022 Elsewhere, Elrond travels to the dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm to make amends with Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur) and partake in a glorious feast with Durin's wife, Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete). Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 This is an important year for Brown to make amends after finishing fourth in the 100-yard fly in 2020 and got disqualified in the start during last year's finals. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 Following a stay in Utah, LaBeouf attempted to make amends with his father. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 30 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English amendes, from Anglo-French, plural of amende reparation, from amender
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing amends
Kids Definition
amends
noun plural
ə-ˈmendz
: something done or given by a person to make up for a loss or injury he or she has caused
He was sorry for ruining the garden and promised to make amends.
Hint: Amends can be used as a singular, but is more common as a plural.
amends 1 of 2
plural noun
as in expiation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- expiation
- atonement
- adjustment
- reparation
- repayment
- redress
- restitution
- punitive damages
- refund
- recompense
- reimbursement
- damages
- compensation
- indemnity
- indemnification
- satisfaction
- settlement
- punishment
- recoupment
- solatium
- requital
- vow
- reprisal(s)
- remuneration
- retaliation
- treaty
- quittance
- pact
- bail
- pledge
- concordat
- deposit
- contract
- oath
- pawn
- security
- guarantee
- compact
- bargain
- guaranty
- covenant
- warranty
- deal
- bond
- accord
- convention
- surety
- troth
- word
amends
2 of 2verb
1
as in improves
to make better trying to amend the situation of the striking workers by supplying them with minimal food supplies Synonyms & Similar Words
- improves
- enhances
- remedies
- refines
- helps
- upgrades
- perfects
- ameliorates
- remediates
- rectifies
- betters
- enriches
- reforms
- corrects
- revises
- meliorates
- edits
- reinforces
- redrafts
- reworks
- strengthens
- emends
- rehabilitates
- intensifies
- fines
- revamps
- refurbishes
- fine-tunes
- fortifies
- rehabs
- boosts
- retouches
- hones
- polishes
- reenforces
- touches up
- beefs (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hurts
- flaws
- damages
- harms
- worsens
- vitiates
- impairs
- injures
- tarnishes
- reduces
- spoils
- disfigures
- diminishes
- blights
- defaces
- endamages
- lessens
- blemishes
- mars
- lowers
2
as in corrects
to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from the Bill of Rights was adopted in an effort to amend a constitution that seemed to many to be deficient in guaranteeing individual rights Synonyms & Similar Words
- corrects
- reforms
- rewrites
- remedies
- rectifies
- changes
- improves
- repairs
- modifies
- revises
- emends
- reworks
- redrafts
- adjusts
- fixes
- debugs
- shortens
- alters
- redresses
- red-pencils
- rights
- redraws
- perfects
- ameliorates
- mends
- cuts
- betters
- restyles
- regulates
- polishes
- touches up
- modulates
- blue-pencils
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hurts
- damages
- harms
- impairs
- injures
- spoils
- mars
- aggravates
- worsens
3
as in reforms
to change one's behavior or character for the better the judge had heard the defendant promise before that he would amend Synonyms & Similar Words
- reforms
- improves
- behaves
- mends
- shapes up
- regenerates
- cleans up one's act
- straightens (up or out)
- betters
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- regresses
- backslides