Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The act or an instance of ameliorating.
- noun The state of being ameliorated; improvement.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The act of ameliorating, or the state of being ameliorated; a making or becoming better; improvement; melioration.
- noun A thing wherein improvement is realized; an improvement.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The act of ameliorating, or the state of being ameliorated; making or becoming better; improvement; melioration.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The act of making better.
- noun an
improvement
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the act of relieving ills and changing for the better
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The converse process, amelioration, is evident in the slang uses of wicked, deadly, and sick.
Catachresis and the amusing, awful and artificial cathedral 2009
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The Palestinians have shown nothing over the years if not a great willingness to reject short-term amelioration of living conditions on behalf of larger political principles.
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Policy decisions should be based on semi-empirical 10-20 year maximum likelihood projections of current trends, with the idea of amelioration of possible negative climate effects, and, honestly, exploitation of any anticipated positive consequences.
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As for the general interest in social amelioration, that is the worst sign of all.
Humanly Speaking Samuel McChord Crothers
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The images of dead babies, looking like baby dolls rather than fragmented remains which appeared yesterday, have been cited by Ms. Philips herself as a kind of amelioration of the situation.
On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2009
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The images of dead babies, looking like baby dolls rather than fragmented remains which appeared yesterday, have been cited by Ms. Philips herself as a kind of amelioration of the situation.
On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2009
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Here are all these northern liberals from Wisconsin, Ohio, Arthur Morgan and [David] Lilienthal and these people are real liberal folks, but the policies at TVA really did not contribute much at all to any kind of amelioration of racial problems — in hiring let alone the people who were displaced by dams, jobs within TVA.
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There has been produced an abundant literature in which traditional Christian ethics take ample account of modern social investigations and the theories thus formulated have created a movement for social amelioration which is playing a notable part in the present-day history of Europe.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 14: Simony-Tournon 1840-1916 1913
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But luckily I was in the 'Fifth Reader' then, and had happened to have 'amelioration' in my spelling-lesson only a few days before; so I spoke up and said, 'Oh, yes, Dr. Longman, he is a great deal better, and he is really hungry to-day.'
Hildegarde's Holiday a story for girls Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards 1896
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The key word for Jefferson was "amelioration," and it included several stages of national and moral development.
Conservapedia - Recent changes [en] Joaqu?n Mart?nez 2010
Related Words
synonyms (91)
Words with the same meaning
- Great Leap Forward
- about-face
- accommodation
- adaptation
- adjustment
- advance
- advancement
- alteration
- amendment
- apostasy
- ascent
- bettering
- betterment
- boost
- break
- change
- change of heart
- changeableness
- constructive change
- continuity
- conversion
- defection
- degeneration
- degenerative change
- deterioration
- deviation
- difference
- discontinuity
- divergence
- diversification
- diversion
- diversity
- enhancement
- enrichment
- eugenics
- euthenics
- fitting
- flip-flop
- furtherance
- gradual change
- headway
- improvement
- lift
- melioration
- mend
- mending
- mitigation
- modification
- modulation
- overthrow
- pickup
- preferment
- progress
- progression
- promotion
- qualification
- radical change
- re-creation
- realignment
- recovery
- redesign
- reform
- reformation
- remaking
- renewal
- reshaping
- restoration
- restructuring
- reversal
- revival
- revivification
- revolution
- rise
- shift
- sudden change
- switch
- total change
- transition
- turn
- turnabout
- upbeat
- upheaval
- uplift
- upping
- upswing
- uptrend
- upward mobility
- variation
- variety
- violent change
- worsening
hypernyms (1)
Words that are more generic or abstract
same context (25)
Words that are found in similar contexts
- advancement
- aggrandizement
- alleviation
- betterment
- demoralization
- disintegration
- emancipation
- enfranchisement
- enlargement
- enlightenment
- modernization
- perpetuation
- preferment
- purification
- re-demption
- readjustment
- reclamation
- reconstruction
- reformation
- regeneration
- reorganisation
- reorganization
- restoration
- unification
- well-being
cross-references (1)
Cross-references
rhymes (786)
Words with the same terminal sound
- Alsatian
- Americanization
- Appalachian
- Balkanization
- Christianization
- Confederation
- Corp.
- Croatian
- Dalmatian
- Desegregation
- Finlandization
- Haitian
- Horatian
- Incarnation
- Islamization
- Japanimation
- Nation
- Plantation
- Reformation
- Revelation
- Russification
- Tribulation
- Visitation
- abbreviation
- abdication
- aberration
- abomination
- abrogation
- acceleration
- acclamation
- acclimation
- accommodation
- accreditation
- accumulation
- accusation
- acidification
- activation
- adaptation
- adjudication
- administration
- admiration
- adoration
- adulation
- adulteration
- advocation
- affectation
- affiliation
- affirmation
- affrication
- agglomeration
- aggravation
- agitation
- alienation
- allegation
- alleviation
- allocation
- alphabetization
- alsatian
- alteration
- altercation
- amalgamation
- amortization
- amplification
- amputation
- animation
- annexation
- annihilation
- annotation
- anticipation
- antidiscrimination
- appellation
- application
- appreciation
- approbation
- appropriation
- approximation
- arbitration
- argumentation
- articulation
- aspiration
- assassination
- assimilation
- association
- augmentation
- authentication
- authorization
- automation
- aviation
- avocation
- backwardation
- balkanization
- bifurcation
- calculation
- calibration
- cancellation
- cannibalization
- canonization
- capitalization
- capitulation
- carnation
- castration
- categorization
- causation
- cauterization
- celebration
- centralization
- certification
- cessation
- cetacean
- characterization
- citation
- civilization
- clarification
- classification
- coagulation
- codification
- cogeneration
- cogitation
- cohabitation
- collaboration
- collectivization
- collocation
- colonization
- coloration
- colorization
- combination
- commemoration
- commendation
- commercialization
- communication
- communization
- commutation
- compensation
- compilation
- complication
- computation
- computerization
- concatenation
- concentration
- conciliation
- condemnation
- condensation
- confabulation
- confederation
- configuration
- confirmation
- confiscation
- conflagration
- conflation
- confrontation
- conglomeration
- congratulation
- congregation
- conjugation
- connotation
- consecration
- conservation
- consideration
- consolation
- consolidation
- constellation
- consternation
- constipation
- consultation
- consummation
- contamination
- contemplation
- continuation
- conversation
- convocation
- cooperation
- coordination
- coronation
- corp.
- corporation
- correlation
- corroboration
- creation
- cremation
- criminalization
- crustacean
- culmination
- cultivation
- dalmatian
- damnation
- decapitation
- deceleration
- decentralization
- decertification
- declaration
- decontamination
- decoration
- decriminalization
- dedication
- defamation
- deflation
- deforestation
- deformation
- degeneration
- degradation
- dehumanization
- dehydration
- deification
- deinstitutionalization
- delegation
- deliberation
- delineation
- demarcation
- demilitarization
- demobilization
- democratization
- demodulation
- demonization
- demonstration
- demoralization
- denationalization
- denomination
- denuclearization
- denunciation
- deportation
- depravation
- depreciation
- depredation
- deprivation
- deregulation
- derivation
- desalination
- desalinization
- desecration
- desegregation
- desiccation
- designation
- desolation
- desperation
- destabilization
- destination
- determination
- detonation
- detoxication
- detoxification
- devaluation
- devastation
- deviation
- dictation
- differentiation
- dilatation
- dilation
- discoloration
- discontinuation
- discrimination
- disembarkation
- disinclination
- disinflation
- disinformation
- disintegration
- dislocation
- disorganization
- disorientation
- dispensation
- disputation
- disqualification
- dissemination
- dissertation
- dissipation
- dissociation
- distillation
- diversification
- divination
- documentation
- domestication
- domination
- donation
- dramatization
- duplication
- duration
- echolocation
- edification
- education
- ejaculation
- elaboration
- elation
- electrification
- elevation
- elimination
- elongation
- emanation
- emancipation
- embarkation
- emigration
- emulation
- enumeration
- equalization
- equitation
- equivocation
- eradication
- escalation
- estimation
- evacuation
- evaluation
- evaporation
- evocation
- exacerbation
- exaggeration
- examination
- exasperation
- excavation
- excitation
- exclamation
- excommunication
- exfoliation
- exhalation
- exhilaration
- exhortation
- exhumation
- exoneration
- expatriation
- expectation
- experimentation
- expiration
- explanation
- explication
- exploitation
- exploration
- expropriation
- extermination
- extrapolation
- extrication
- fabrication
- facilitation
- falsification
- fascination
- federation
- fermentation
- fertilization
- fibrillation
- figuration
- filtration
- fixation
- flirtation
- flotation
- fluctuation
- fluoridation
- foliation
- formation
- formulation
- fortification
- foundation
- fragmentation
- frustration
- fumigation
- gasification
- gastrulation
- generalization
- generation
- gentrification
- germination
- gestation
- glaciation
- globalization
- glorification
- gradation
- graduation
- granulation
- gratification
- gravitation
- gyration
- habitation
- hallucination
- harmonization
- hesitation
- hibernation
- hospitalization
- humiliation
- hybridization
- hydration
- hydrogenation
- hyperinflation
- hyphenation
- ideation
- identification
- illumination
- illustration
- imagination
- imitation
- immigration
- immunization
- impersonation
- implantation
- implementation
- implication
- importation
- impregnation
- improvisation
- imputation
- inactivation
- inauguration
- incantation
- incapacitation
- incarceration
- incarnation
- inclination
- incoordination
- incorporation
- incrimination
- incrustation
- incubation
- indemnification
- indentation
- indexation
- indication
- indignation
- indoctrination
- industrialization
- infatuation
- infestation
- infiltration
- inflammation
- inflation
- information
- inhabitation
- inhalation
- initiation
- innovation
- inoculation
- insemination
- insinuation
- inspiration
- installation
- instantiation
- instigation
- institutionalization
- instrumentation
- insubordination
- insulation
- integration
- intensification
- internationalization
- interpretation
- interrogation
- intimation
- intimidation
- intonation
- intoxication
- inundation
- invalidation
- investigation
- invitation
- invocation
- ionization
- irradiation
- irrigation
- irritation
- isolation
- jubilation
- justification
- laceration
- lactation
- legalization
- legislation
- levitation
- liberalization
- liberation
- libration
- ligation
- limitation
- liquidation
- litigation
- localization
- location
- lubrication
- machination
- magnetization
- magnification
- malformation
- manifestation
- manipulation
- marginalization
- masturbation
- maturation
- maximization
- mechanization
- mediation
- medication
- meditation
- menstruation
- migration
- mineralization
- miniaturization
- ministration
- misallocation
- misapplication
- misappropriation
- miscalculation
- mischaracterization
- miscommunication
- miscreation
- miseration
- misidentification
- misinformation
- misinterpretation
- misrepresentation
- mitigation
- mobilization
- moderation
- modernization
- modification
- modulation
- molestation
- monopolization
- motivation
- multiplication
- mummification
- mutation
- mutilation
- narration
- nation
- nationalization
- naturalization
- navigation
- negation
- negotiation
- neutralization
- nitration
- nomination
- nondiscrimination
- nonproliferation
- normalization
- notation
- notification
- nucleation
- nullification
- obfuscation
- obligation
- obliteration
- observation
- occupation
- operation
- optation
- optimization
- oration
- orchestration
- ordination
- organisation
- organization
- orientation
- origination
- ornamentation
- oscillation
- ossification
- ostentation
- ovation
- overpopulation
- overregulation
- overvaluation
- ovulation
- oxidation
- pacification
- pagination
- palpitation
- participation
- pasteurization
- penetration
- perforation
- permutation
- perpetuation
- personalization
- personification
- perspiration
- perturbation
- pigmentation
- plantation
- polarization
- politicization
- pollination
- polymerization
- pontification
- popularization
- population
- precipitation
- predation
- predestination
- prefabrication
- premeditation
- preoccupation
- preparation
- presentation
- preservation
- pressurization
- prestidigitation
- prevarication
- privation
- privatisation
- privatization
- probation
- proclamation
- procrastination
- procreation
- profanation
- prognostication
- proliferation
- pronunciation
- propagation
- proration
- prostration
- protestation
- provocation
- publication
- punctuation
- purification
- qualification
- quantification
- quotation
- radiation
- radicalization
- ramification
- ratification
- ration
- rationalization
- reaffiliation
- reaffirmation
- realization
- reallocation
- reauthorization
- recalculation
- recantation
- recapitalization
- recertification
- recitation
- reclamation
- reclassification
- recommendation
- reconciliation
- reconfiguration
- reconfirmation
- reconsideration
- recreation
- recrimination
- rectification
- recuperation
- redecoration
- rededication
- reevaluation
- reexamination
- reflation
- reforestation
- reformation
- refrigeration
- refutation
- regeneration
- regimentation
- registration
- regulation
- rehabilitation
- rehydration
- reincarnation
- reincorporation
- reinterpretation
- reinvigoration
- reiteration
- rejuvenation
- relation
- relaxation
- relocation
- remediation
- remuneration
- renationalization
- renegotiation
- renomination
- renovation
- renunciation
- reorganization
- reparation
- repatriation
- replication
- representation
- repudiation
- reputation
- reregulation
- reservation
- resignation
- respiration
- restoration
- resuscitation
- retaliation
- retardation
- reunification
- revaluation
- revelation
- reverberation
- revitalization
- revocation
- rotation
- rumination
- russification
- salvation
- sanctification
- sanitation
- saponification
- sarmatian
- saturation
- securitization
- sedation
- sedimentation
- segmentation
- segregation
- self-congratulation
- self-determination
- sensation
- separation
- sequestration
- simplification
- simulation
- singularization
- situation
- socialization
- solicitation
- sophistication
- specialization
- specification
- speculation
- stabilization
- stagflation
- stagnation
- stalinization
- standardization
- starvation
- station
- sterilization
- stimulation
- stipulation
- strangulation
- subluxation
- subordination
- subsidization
- substantiation
- suburbanization
- suffocation
- summation
- superstation
- surrogation
- synchronization
- syndication
- tabloidization
- tabulation
- taxation
- telecommunication
- temptation
- termination
- titillation
- toleration
- transformation
- transillumination
- translation
- transplantation
- transportation
- trepidation
- triangulation
- tribulation
- ulceration
- undervaluation
- unification
- unionization
- urbanization
- usurpation
- utilization
- vacation
- vaccination
- vacillation
- validation
- valuation
- vaporization
- variation
- vegetation
- veneration
- ventilation
- verification
- vibration
- victimization
- vilification
- vindication
- violation
- visitation
- visualization
- vocation
- vulgarization
- westernization
oroboros commented on the word amelioration
antonym: "pejoration"
December 21, 2006
whichbe commented on the word amelioration
A semantic change toward a more positive connotation in the meaning of a word or morpheme; for example, the English word nice, which meant "foolish" in Middle English, now means kind or pleasant.
June 20, 2007
vanishedone commented on the word amelioration
Disraeli, Coningsby, with a couple of political fixers selecting an electoral slogan:
'And now for our cry,' said Mr. Taper. ... 'Ancient institutions and modern improvements, I suppose, Mr. Tadpole?'
'Ameliorations is the better word, ameliorations. Nobody knows exactly what it means.'
September 27, 2008