ameliorate

Also mel·io·rate

[uh-meel-yuh-reyt, uh-mee-lee-uh-]

verb (used with or without object)

ameliorated, ameliorating 

1. to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve.

   strategies to ameliorate negative effects on the environment.

   Synonyms: better, amend
   Antonyms: worsen, vitiate

ameliorate

/ əˈmiːljəˌreɪt, əˈmiːljərəbəl /

verb

1. to make or become better; improve

Usage

Ameliorate is often wrongly used where alleviate is meant. Ameliorate is properly used to mean `improve', not `make easier to bear', so one should talk about alleviating pain or hardship, not ameliorating it

Other Word Forms

• ameliorable adjective
• ameliorator noun
• ameliorative adjective
• ameliorant noun
• ameliorableness noun
• amelioratory adjective
• unameliorable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ameliorate¹

First recorded in 1770–75; a- ⁵ + meliorate

Word History and Origins

Origin of ameliorate¹

C18: from _meliorate , influenced by French améliorer to improve, from Old French ameillorer to make better, from meillor better, from Latin melior

Example Sentences

While the loss of a player like Thompson would hurt Angel City on the field, the likely seven-figure transfer fee would help ameliorate that.

From Los Angeles Times

Some legislation has been proposed to ameliorate the concerns, or at least lay the legal groundwork for an unconventional quick-turn census.

From Salon

According to state projections, the average amount of water delivered from the Delta to Southern California could decrease by between 13% and 23% within two decades unless measures are taken to ameliorate those declines.

From Los Angeles Times

That is, historically, what presidents have done: Facing volatile circumstances, confronting crises, they summon the powers of their office to explain, to ameliorate, to reassure and above all, to try to calm the situation.

From Los Angeles Times

But Americans should not expect that all this can be ameliorated, much less erased.

From Salon

Related Words

• alleviate 
• lighten 
• mitigate 

When To Use

What are other ways to say ameliorate?

To ameliorate is to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory. How is it different from the verbs improve and better? Find out on Thesaurus.com.