Use ameliorate in formal, policy, medical, academic, or technical contexts where a negative condition is being improved or eased.
Use ameliorate in formal, policy, medical, academic, or technical contexts where a negative condition is being improved or eased.
ameliorate my skills sounds too formal and usually means plain improve, while passive uses need ameliorated.
From an alteration of meliorate, influenced by French améliorer, from Latin melior, meaning "better".
What does ameliorate mean?
Ameliorate means to make a bad or difficult condition better, or for that condition to become less severe.
Is ameliorate formal?
Yes. Ameliorate is formal and works best in policy, academic, medical, technical, or serious written contexts.
Can ameliorate be intransitive?
Yes. A condition can ameliorate, meaning it becomes better, though improve is more common in everyday speech.
What is a synonym of ameliorate?
Common synonyms include improve, better, ease, alleviate, mitigate, and relieve.
What is the opposite of ameliorate?
Common opposites include worsen, aggravate, exacerbate, and deteriorate.
Where does ameliorate come from?
Ameliorate comes through French améliorer and is related to Latin melior, meaning better.