REFORM Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reform 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reform

as in amendment

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

reform

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈfȯrm

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

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

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

While the reform and opening-up era brought some efforts to distinguish the roles of the party and the state, Xi has extended the party’s supremacy across all areas of society. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 Alongside him is Bartos, a Pennsylvania businessman nominated as deputy ambassador for management and reform. — Bethany Mandel, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

Amnesty International has urged Syria to end trials in absentia and the use of the death penalty, incorporate crimes under international law into domestic legislation and reform the judiciary. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 The group notes other states, such as Illinois, New Jersey and New York have either reformed or ended cash bail. — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reform

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform

Noun

The amendments will not go through the standard committee review and there will be no public record of who demanded the changes, or why.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
The California Legislature is considering an amendment to CIPA that would prohibit the use of wearable recording devices, like smart glasses, inside a place of business.

— Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of amendment

Verb

That’s why Duffy was right to focus on new and rehabilitated equipment for these Midwest corridors that can put them to immediate use and fill them with passengers.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
The teen will be charged as an adult designated, meaning that if convicted, he could be sentenced as a juvenile, an adult or as a juvenile with the option of receiving an adult sentence if not rehabilitated.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

The upgrade focuses on the aircraft’s mission systems, combining new hardware and software to improve situational awareness and reduce the workload on its crew.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
But with races like the one in Alaska, the party sees an opportunity to improve its chances.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

The latest vote takes a key step in a yearslong process to amend the city’s planning, and included potential increases in density in urban areas and additions of parking requirements.

— Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
On August 10, the CFTC amended ElectronX’s designation to permit intermediated trading through futures commission merchants.

— Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of amend

Noun

The revision writes a list of extraordinary circumstances into the regulation, the narrow set of events that let an airline refuse to pay.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Despite the revisions and outreach, some still oppose any new Boca Lago development.

— Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of revision

Verb

The microsite also serves as the entry to the Encore Market, where members can redeem points.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
The only redeeming aspect of the show happens here, on a ski slope, when their youngest daughter Valentina, who was born with Down syndrome, is treated to a lesson via an adaptive ski school.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of redeem

Verb

His revered mentor, José Antonio Abreu, who founded the educational program in 1975 with the conviction that learning music can, in bettering lives, lead to profound social change.

— Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Asking for feedback is only one step of the process in bettering your organization.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of better

Verb

Only if the issue is not corrected within that timeframe will the organization be administratively dissolved.

— Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Some of it is tied to precious metals supported by the grim reality that policymakers are loath to correct our fiscal problems and prefer to monetize them instead.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

refocusing

reform

reformable

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Style

“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of reform

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verb

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Synonyms of reform

noun

verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on reform

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