repair 1 of 2

noun

Definition of repairnext
as in condition
a state of being or fitness the dining table is in good repair, so you won't need to refinish it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repair

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈper How to pronounce repair (audio)
1
as in to restore
to bring back to a former condition or vigor it will take some time to repair your energy after a bout with the flu

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to fix
to put into good shape or working order again having trouble finding someone who repairs audio components

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb repair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of repair are mend, patch, and rebuild. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

When is mend a more appropriate choice than repair?

In some situations, the words mend and repair are roughly equivalent. However, mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is it sensible to use patch instead of repair?

While the synonyms patch and repair are close in meaning, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

Where would rebuild be a reasonable alternative to repair?

The words rebuild and repair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

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 repair
Noun
Chicken is a complete protein that supports muscle repair, energy, and immune health, but variety in your diet matters. — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 System 0 approach builds on Arc’teryx’s existing ecosystem of wash, repair, trade-in, resale and upcycle. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Hubble is a special case, given that astronauts repaired and upgraded it over the course of five servicing missions between 1993 and 2009. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Therapists have become too quick to support ending difficult relationships instead of helping people develop the skills to repair them. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repair
  1. condition
  2. restore
  3. fix
  4. health
  5. revive
  6. rebuild
  7. shape
  8. refresh
Noun
  • The comments were laid out in a two-page letter published via Telegram, as the country set its conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and touted the prospect of a return to diplomatic negotiations.
    — Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie,Mike Sheen, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than just a reproductive issue, endometriosis is a whole-body condition, affecting everything from emotional regulation to hormone production and gut health.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of condition
Verb
  • Iran and Oman, meanwhile, have agreed on a temporary maritime corridor intended to restore safer passage through the strait.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The restoration was completed by Maldoror’s daughter, Annouchka de Andrade, who, over almost the last decade, has slowly tracked down, collected, and restored dozens of her mother’s film works.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of restore
Verb
  • The algorithm first fixes both cameras on a 3D point and determines the geometric relationship between the resulting images.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And the creators of these phone gambling ads don’t even bother to fix the mistakes!
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fix
Noun
  • At this point in the WSL’s existence, eight years since becoming a fully professional league, players now ageing out at the title contenders do so with all the advantages — finances, facilities, health — of only knowing full-time football.
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Zambia is particularly sensitive amid tensions over US health assistance and mining, while Kenya is pursuing deeper US trade and investment.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of health
Verb
  • Deep sleepers will appreciate the gradual wake-up call from a large catalog of alarm sounds, and an alarm volume that reaches decibels capable of reviving a bear from its hibernation.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Following interest from Drake, Netflix vowed to revive the series in 2017 with original stars Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson reprising their roles as Dushane and Sully.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of revive
Verb
  • Continuing to hold listening sessions at campuses all across the district is one way to rebuild the relationship with the community, Licata said.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The bathrooms were rebuilt, the patio was improved and more seating, shade and TVs were added over time.
    — Evan Moore August 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebuild
Noun
  • Researchers spent decades trying to target a group of mutations called RAS — responsible for nearly a third of all human cancers — but the protein’s flat shape defied typical drugs.
    — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And the collectors are looking for independent thinking, independent viewpoints, different designs, different shapes, different ideas.
    — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of shape
Verb
  • Credit line reviews typically follow monthly or quarterly cycles; attrition models are refreshed periodically and applied in batch.
    — Julie Conroy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some viewers had to refresh the page after receiving error messages, indicating high usage levels.
    — Jenni Reid,Alex Buckmaster, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of refresh

Browse Nearby Words

repaid
repair
repairable
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Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repair. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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