amends
/ə'mendz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun (plural):
- Compensation or reparation for a loss, damage, or injury: Something, often a sum of money, given to make up for a wrong or harm that has been caused.
- An act of atonement or correction for a wrong: Something done to apologize or to set right a fault or offense.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- He wanted to make amends for his rude behavior. (He wanted to do something to apologize and correct his mistake.)
- The company paid financial amends to the affected customers. (The company gave money to compensate the customers for the problem.)
- She felt that a simple apology was not enough; she needed to make proper amends. (She believed she had to do more than just say sorry to fix the wrong.)
Advanced Usage
- "to make amends": This is the most common and fixed phrase. It means to compensate for a wrong or injury, to atone.
- After the argument, he tried to make amends by helping with the chores.
- The new policy is an attempt to make amends for past injustices.
Variants and Related Words
- Amend (verb): To make minor improvements or corrections to a text, law, or one's ways.
- The committee voted to amend the proposal.
- Amendment (noun): A minor change, addition, or correction, especially to a legal document.
- The first amendment to the constitution guarantees free speech.
Synonyms
- Compensation: Something, typically money, awarded to someone for loss or injury.
- Reparation: The making of amends for a wrong, often involving payment.
- Redress: Remedying or setting right an undesirable or unfair situation.
- Atonement: Reparation for a wrong or injury, often with a moral or spiritual connotation.
Notes on Usage
- The word "amends" is almost always used in its plural form.
- It is most frequently used in the fixed phrase "to make amends (for something)". Using it outside this phrase is rare and formal.
- It implies a corrective action, not just a feeling of regret.
Noun
- something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
- how can I make amends
- a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury