English vocabulary · C1
Ameliorate
/əˈmiːl.jə.reɪt/ · v.
It means to make a bad situation better — to slowly improve something that was wrong or hard.
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Example sentences
- The new law ameliorated conditions for workers.
- Rest and water ameliorated her headache fast.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- melior — better (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- IMPROVE — make better overall (General & broad)
- FIX — solve a clear problem (Practical & direct)
- RELIEVE — make less severe (Reduce pain or pressure)
Similar words
- improve
- relieve
- fix
Lesson notes
Ameliorate. It means to make a bad situation better — to slowly improve something that was wrong or hard.
Similar words are improve, fix, and relieve. Use ameliorate when a serious problem is slowly made better over time.
The new law ameliorated conditions for workers. Rest and water ameliorated her headache fast.
From Latin. melior- means better. To make something better — that is ameliorate.