Ameliorate: meaning, definitions and examples
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ameliorate
[ əˈmiːliəreɪt ]
improve situation
To ameliorate means to make something better or improve a situation, particularly in terms of conditions, circumstances, or feelings. It is often used in contexts where there is a need to enhance or alleviate negative aspects. The term is frequently applied in social, political, or health-related discussions. For instance, one might ameliorate poverty through education or ameliorate pain with medication.
Synonyms
alleviate, better, enhance, improve, mitigate.
Examples of usage
- The organization aims to ameliorate living conditions in impoverished areas.
- Efforts to ameliorate the effects of climate change are crucial.
- The new policy is designed to ameliorate the impact of inflation.
- She took steps to ameliorate her anxiety before the exam.
Translations
Translations of the word "ameliorate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ameliorar
🇮🇳 सुधारना
🇩🇪 verbessern
🇮🇩 memperbaiki
🇺🇦 покращувати
🇵🇱 polepszyć
🇯🇵 改善する
🇫🇷 améliorer
🇪🇸 mejorar
🇹🇷 iyileştirmek
🇰🇷 개선하다
🇸🇦 تحسين
🇨🇿 zlepšit
🇸🇰 zlepšiť
🇨🇳 改善
🇸🇮 izboljšati
🇮🇸 bæta
🇰🇿 жақсарту
🇬🇪 გაუმჯობესება
🇦🇿 yaxşılaşdırmaq
🇲🇽 mejorar
Etymology
The word 'ameliorate' originates from the Latin word 'meliorare,' which means 'to make better.' The Latin 'melior' translates to 'better,' which reflects the core meaning of the term. The word made its way into English in the late 18th century, around the 1780s. It was initially used in the context of improving conditions in various areas, including social, environmental, and personal well-being. Over time, 'ameliorate' has retained its meaning of improving something that is considered unsatisfactory, and it has found applications in diverse fields such as medicine, social justice, and public policy. The growth of its usage can be attributed to increasing awareness of societal issues and the need for solutions that enhance quality of life.