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ameliorate

Syllabification: (a·me·lio·rate)
Pronunciation: /əˈmēlyəˌrāt, əˈmēlēə-/

Definition of ameliorate

verb

[with object]
  • make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better:the reform did much to ameliorate living standards

Derivatives

ameliorative

Pronunciation: /-rətiv, -ˌrātiv/

adjective

Origin:

mid 18th century: alteration of meliorate, influenced by French améliorer, from meilleur 'better'

ameliorate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of ameliorate in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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