Ameliorated
/əˈmiːliəˌreɪtɪd/
verbC1past tense
Definition
To ameliorate means to improve something that is bad or difficult. It is used when a problem or situation gets better because of some action or change. This word often appears in formal or serious contexts like health, social issues, or conditions.
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⚡ See It in Action
To make a bad situation better
- •The new laws ameliorated the living conditions in the city.
- •The medicine ameliorated her symptoms after a few days.
- •Efforts to ameliorate poverty have shown some success.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'ameliorated' like 'improved,' but used for fixing problems or making bad things better
- ✓Picture a dry, cracked garden that gets watered and becomes green and healthy again
- ✓It's the feeling when a headache slowly goes away after taking medicine and you start feeling relief
- ✓Sounds like 'a-meal-i-rate-ed' → imagine eating a good meal that makes you feel better and stronger
- ✓In stories, heroes often try to ameliorate the suffering of others by helping or fixing problems
- ✓NOT like 'ignore' (do nothing), ameliorate means actively making a situation better
- ✓NOT like 'fix' (which can be quick and small), ameliorate often means gradual or partial improvement
- ✓NOT like 'worsen' (make worse), ameliorate means the opposite—making things less bad
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Improve: to make better (Use when the change is general and everyday)
- •Ease: to make less difficult or painful (Use when talking about reducing problems or pain)
- •Relieve: to reduce pain or trouble (Use when focusing on making suffering less)
- •Better: to make something more good (Use in simple or informal situations)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'a-' (prefix, meaning 'to') + 'melior' (root from Latin meaning 'better') + '-ate' (verb ending) + '-ed' (past tense suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'meliorare,' meaning 'to make better'
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 17th century, mainly in formal writing to mean improving bad conditions
- •Modern usage: Common in formal speech or writing about social, health, or environmental improvements
💭 Reflect & Connect
•What are some problems in your community that could be ameliorated by small changes?
•How does the idea of amelioration show hope or positive action in difficult situations?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The government ___ the harsh living conditions by building new homes and improving water supply.
2.When the pain ___ after taking medicine, people feel much more comfortable.
3.Unlike ignoring the problem, the charity actively ___ the difficulties faced by poor families.
4.She worked hard to ___ the situation, but it took time and effort.
5.The program aims to ___ poverty, not just hide it.
6.If a problem is only slightly ___, it means it is better but not completely solved.
7.To say something is ameliorated usually means it was ___ by someone's action or help.