Meliorate vs. Ameliorate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
Meliorate and ameliorate both mean to improve, but "ameliorate" is more common in modern usage, often implying improvement of negative conditions.
Difference Between Meliorate and Ameliorate
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Key Differences
Meliorate and ameliorate are synonyms that share the definition of making something better. While meliorate is less frequently used in contemporary English, ameliorate is preferred, especially in formal contexts.
The verb meliorate often appears in older texts and carries a general sense of improvement. On the other hand, ameliorate is specifically used in contexts where conditions or situations are being improved, particularly those that are poor or undesirable.
Usage trends show that ameliorate is more likely to appear in discussions related to social, economic, or environmental issues, indicating a focus on significant, impactful changes. Meliorate, though similar, is not as commonly tied to such specific areas.
Examples in literature and historical documents might utilize meliorate to describe improvements in personal qualities or minor adjustments. Conversely, ameliorate is more likely to be found in modern discussions about policies, measures, or actions aimed at remedying complex issues.
In terms of nuance, meliorate might carry an older, more literary tone, which could be preferred for stylistic reasons. Ameliorate, however, is clearer in its association with substantial and often systemic improvements, making it more applicable in professional or academic discourse.
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Comparison Chart
Usage Frequency
Less common
More common
Context
General improvement
Improvement of poor conditions
Literary Presence
More historical usage
Frequently used today
Implication
Mild or general betterment
Significant, specific relief
Preferred Contexts
Literary or historical
Academic, professional, social
Compare with Definitions
Meliorate
To make something better.
He sought to meliorate his skills through constant practice.
Ameliorate
To make better or improve, especially something bad or unsatisfactory.
Social programs are designed to ameliorate the effects of poverty.
Meliorate
Often used in a broader, less specific sense of improvement.
The new manager hoped to meliorate the team's morale.
Ameliorate
Common in discussions about policy and health.
Efforts to ameliorate climate change are critical at this juncture.
Meliorate
To enhance the quality or condition of something.
Ancient philosophers believed in meliorating the soul through virtue.
Ameliorate
Preferred in formal and contemporary settings.
The government's measures aim to ameliorate economic instability.
Meliorate
To improve a situation mildly.
Small decor changes can meliorate the ambiance of a room.
Ameliorate
To alleviate hardships or difficulties.
Medical advances have ameliorated the treatment of many chronic diseases.
Meliorate
Historical or literary usage predominates.
The reforms were intended to meliorate the lives of citizens.
Ameliorate
To enhance in a manner that corrects issues.
They adopted new regulations to ameliorate safety concerns in the workplace.
Meliorate
To make better; improve.
Ameliorate
Make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better
The reform did much to ameliorate living standards
Meliorate
To grow better.
Ameliorate
To make or become better; improve
Volunteers were able to ameliorate conditions in the refugee camp. Conditions are ameliorating.
Meliorate
(transitive) To make better; to improve; to solve a problem.
They offered some compromises in an effort to meliorate the disagreement.
Ameliorate
(transitive) To make better, or improve, something perceived to be in a negative condition.
They offered some compromises in an effort to ameliorate the situation.
Meliorate
(intransitive) To become better.
Ameliorate
(intransitive) To become better; improve.
Meliorate
To make better; to improve; to ameliorate; to soften; to make more tolerable.
Nature by art we nobly meliorate.
The pure and benign light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind.
Ameliorate
To make better; to improve; to meliorate.
In every human being there is a wish to ameliorate his own condition.
Meliorate
To grow better.
Ameliorate
To grow better; to meliorate; as, wine ameliorates by age.
Meliorate
To make better;
The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
Ameliorate
To make better;
The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
Meliorate
Get better;
The weather improved toward evening
Ameliorate
Get better;
The weather improved toward evening
Common Curiosities
Which is more common, meliorate or ameliorate?
Ameliorate is more common in modern usage.
Which term is preferred in academic writing?
Ameliorate is preferred for its precision and familiarity in academic contexts.
Is there a difference in the severity of improvement between meliorate and ameliorate?
Ameliorate often implies a more substantial or necessary improvement, particularly from poor conditions, whereas meliorate is more general.
Can meliorate be used in everyday conversation?
It can be, though it might sound unusually formal or outdated.
What does ameliorate mean?
Ameliorate means to make better, especially improvements from a bad or unsatisfactory condition.
Are meliorate and ameliorate interchangeable?
While they are synonyms and often interchangeable, ameliorate is more commonly used and usually in more significant or specific contexts.
Can you use meliorate in formal writing?
Yes, but it is less common and may carry an old-fashioned tone.
What are some examples of using ameliorate in a sentence?
"The new laws were put in place to ameliorate healthcare access."
What does meliorate mean?
Meliorate means to improve or make better.
Is meliorate considered archaic?
It is not commonly used today and may be considered slightly archaic.
How should I choose between meliorate and ameliorate?
Choose based on the context; use ameliorate for significant improvements, especially in formal or contemporary settings.
Do meliorate and ameliorate have the same root?
Yes, both come from the Latin root "melior," meaning better.
What are some synonyms for ameliorate?
Improve, enhance, better, alleviate.
How can I remember the difference between meliorate and ameliorate?
Think of "ameliorate" for conditions that are "a mess" needing significant improvement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
