JISUPOSTEnglish
ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Reform

/ˌɹiːˈfɔɹm/ · noun

Meaning

The change of something that is defective, broken, inefficient or otherwise negative, in order to correct or improve it.

Definitions by Sense

  1. The change of something that is defective, broken, inefficient or otherwise negative, in order to correct or improve it
  2. (transitive) To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better.
  3. (intransitive) To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits.
  4. (transitive, intransitive) To form again or in a new configuration.

Example Sentences

The elections need to undergo a serious reform.
Major reform is needed to improve the efficiency in the factory.
19 February 2011, Barack Obama, Presidential Weekly Address, America Will Win the Future […] over the past two years, my administration has made education a top priority. We’ve launched a competition called “Race to the Top” – a reform that is lifting academic standards and getting results; not because Washington dictated the answers, but because states and local schools pursued innovative solutions.
to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals; to reform a criminal
In this interview with Law Editors and Correspondents, he speaks on the gains of reforming the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), efforts to keep underage persons out of jail.
“There was always something a bit wrong with him,” she said, “but nothing you mightn’t have hoped for, not till they took him and carried him off and reformed him”
Thus human nature seems to lie under the disadvantage, that the example alone of a vicious prince, will in time corrupt an age; but the example of a good one, will not be sufficient to reform it without farther endeavours.
It is hoped that many criminals, upon being freed, will eventually reform.

Synonyms for reform

reformationamendmentrectificationcorrectionamendcorrectrectifymendrepairbetterimproverestorereclaimregeneratestraighten out

Antonyms for reform

Related Words

regeneratestraighten outreformationamendmentrevamprefurbishmentreshapingreworkingrestructuringoverhaulrenovationreorganizerestructurereshapereorganizationrepairingrestorationrepairreformulationreorganisation

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Add this word and synonyms to Word SearchSynonyms and antonymsBetter words by context

Frequently Asked Questions

What does reform mean?

Reform means The change of something that is defective, broken, inefficient or otherwise negative, in order to correct or improve it.

What is a synonym for reform?

Common synonyms include reformation, amendment, rectification, correction.

What is the opposite of reform?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use reform in a sentence?

The elections need to undergo a serious reform.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.