Ameliorate
Rarely a full cure, often a better pillow, a shorter queue, or a policy patch that makes Monday survivable again.
Learn This WordMeaning
To make something better or improve it; to become better or improve.
Memory trick
Think "AMELIO-RATE" = "A MELIO (better) RATE", making the rate/situation better. Ameliorate = make better.
Examples
The new policies will ameliorate working conditions for employees.
Regular exercise can ameliorate symptoms of depression.
The company invested in technology to ameliorate efficiency.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin meliorare "to make better," from melior "better," from the root of magnus "great."
Usage Notes
Formal word used in professional, academic, and policy contexts to describe improvement or enhancement.
Real-life contexts
Describe improvement: "These changes will ameliorate the situation."
Use in policy: "The program aims to ameliorate poverty."
Discuss progress: "We're working to ameliorate the problem."
Common Mistakes
Ameliorate means to improve or make better, not to make something tolerable or acceptable.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
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