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

But Scanlon said there’s a downside, as well, to rolling out bold reform ideas now. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 The result is a politics in which almost everyone agrees that reform is urgently needed, provided someone else pays, and their own group’s advantages remain untouched. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Over time, the objectives of this opposition have shifted from reforming the regime to challenging its authority. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Since becoming Health and Human Services secretary, Kennedy has aggressively tried to reform existing vaccine policy. — Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reform

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reform

Noun

And in Maryland, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would enable mid-decade changes.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026
Experts say the amendments could affect how the Japanese public views the imperial family.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of amendment

Verb

Too dependent on one style Nike bought Converse for $305 million in 2003, seeing enormous potential to rehabilitate an iconic brand.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association has looked to secure funding to rehabilitate the buildings but work remains ongoing.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

Parties that likely would support Eisenkot have vowed to improve Israel's international standing and work to conscript ultra-Orthodox men while bolstering the independence of the judiciary.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Such a process could potentially improve lithium recovery from underground brines while reducing the chemical demands of conventional separation methods.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

The original proposal included employers of all sizes, but the Board of Health amended the policy to exempt small businesses.

— Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
In 1990, Congress considered amending the CAA so that the EPA could substitute itself and take control of citizen suits over alleged violations.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

But the news took a turn when employees reportedly were given a phishing test email disguised as a chance to redeem their rings.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Each point is worth 1 cent and 200 points can be redeemed for $2 off convenience store items or an extra 5 cents per gallon discount on fuel.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of redeem

Verb

Forty-three percent of US adults say the federal government is effective at bettering people’s lives, down from 51% in 2025, according to a new Bentley University-Gallup survey.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
In the meantime, however, humankind was not there to be bettered.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of better

Verb

Ahead of a critical divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, the need to correct the problems sooner rather than later has become dire after a 2-4 start.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Spotting where physical results diverge from computer models allows technical teams to correct their simulation software before committing to final prototype hardware.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

refocusing

reform

reformable

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“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reform. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reform

noun

verb

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