WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
a•mel•io•rate /əˈmilyəˌreɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -rat•ed, -rat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to make or become better or more satisfactory; improve: [~ + object]Her apology ameliorated the situation.[no object]The situation ameliorated when both sides shook hands.
a•mel•io•rate
(ə mēl′yə rāt′, ə mē′lē ə-),USA pronunciation v.t., v.i., -rat•ed, -rat•ing.
a•mel′io•ra•ble, adj.
a•mel′io•ra•ble•ness, n.
a•mel′io•rant, n.
a•mel′io•ra′tive, a•mel•io•ra•to•ry
(ə mēl′yər ə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē, ə mē′lē ə-),USA pronunciation adj.
a•mel′io•ra′tor, n.
- to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve;
meliorate.
- a-5 + meliorate 1760–70
a•mel′io•ra•ble•ness, n.
a•mel′io•rant, n.
- amend, better. See improve.
- worsen.