Amends
What it means
Actions taken to repair harm and restore goodwill.
Reach for it when describing accountable repair that follows acknowledgment of wrongdoing
He made amends by replacing the tools and apologizing directly.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal |
-
everyday
Fits when regret needs direct expression
Careful An apology alone may leave the damage unrepaired.
-
warm
making things right
Fits when plain relational language fits the audience
Careful The phrase can conceal what concrete repair is owed.
-
professional
Fits when a remedy corrects injustice
Careful Redress focuses on the harmed party's remedy, not renewed goodwill.
-
professional
Fits when property or value must be returned
Careful Restitution does not include apology or changed behavior.
-
formal
Fits when moral repair and remorse are central
Careful Atonement is broader and can remain symbolic.
-
formal
reparation
Fits when material repair answers serious harm
Careful Reparation can be institutional and need not restore a relationship.
Opposites 3
- further harm
- denial
- refusal
Common phrases 3
-
make amends
She returned to make amends with the neighbors.
-
offer amends
The contractor offered amends by rebuilding the damaged wall.
-
sincere amends
Sincere amends included repayment and a change in practice.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated