Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ameliorate

/əˈmiːli.əɹeɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.56 in modern English

Syllables: ame-lio-rate
IPA: /əˈmiːli.əɹeɪt/

12

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make better, or improve, something perceived to be in a negative condition.

Transitive verb

verb

To become better; improve.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"They offered some compromises in an effort to ameliorate the situation."
"In every human being there is a wish to ameliorate his own condition."
"Unless... you could help me find a third party. [...] Someone who can... ameliorate the situation."
"We further show that an implementable rule for the central bank's long bond portfolio significantly ameliorates the adverse consequences of a binding ZLB on the policy rate."

Etymology

Alteration of meliorate after French améliorer.

Origin

Source language: French

Word Breakdown

Root: améliorer

Usage

Inflected Forms

ameliorates (present, singular) ameliorating (participle, present) ameliorated (participle, past) ameliorated (past)

Derived Forms

amelioratingly ameliorator amelioratory

Frequently Paired Words

amelioration ameliorative ameliorable inameliorable meliorate alleviate mitigate

Synonyms

better improve meliorate amend

Antonyms

deteriorate worsen

Questions

How do you pronounce ameliorate?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈmiːli.əɹeɪt/.
What does ameliorate mean?: To make better, or improve, something perceived to be in a negative condition.
Where does ameliorate come from?: It is traced to French.

How to pronounce ameliorate

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ameliorate”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈmiːli.əɹeɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ameliorate”.
Repeat and practice — Say “ameliorate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.