ameliorated

USAGE SUMMARY

"ameliorated" is an accepted word in written English.
It means to make something better or to improve. You can use it whenever you need to describe the act of making something better or improving it. Example sentence: Her health ameliorated considerably after months of treatment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a parliamentary party meeting in Westminster, Clegg appeared to have partially ameliorated the split by persuading ministers who had once indicated they could not vote in favour of the planned increase.

The Guardian

Such helpers are often B vitamins, and the diseases were often treatable with large doses of the appropriate vitamin.The enzyme damage in these diseases is similar to that induced by oxidation, so Dr Ames suspects that its effects, too, can be ameliorated by high doses of vitamins.

The Economist

And their impact has been somewhat ameliorated by the government's concerted bid to prepare the country for bad news before the budget.

The Economist

In "The Lessons of History", Will and Ariel Durant concluded that large concentrations in wealth in the past were generally ameliorated by revolution (most frequently) or enlightened leadership (least frequently).

The Economist

These disappointing results can, however, be ameliorated by shortening the "headway" in ACC-equipped vehicles, according to Martin Treiber of the Dresden University of Technology, also in Germany.Headway is the gap, measured in seconds, that a driver puts between himself and the car ahead.

The Economist

And I doubt the most deplorable injustices of the American system would be ameliorated much, if at all, by raising taxes on the rich.

The Economist

Innovative projects have ameliorated seemingly hopeless social troubles, for instance by reducing rates of reoffending by former prisoners or by helping children from the rougher parts of American cities to graduate from college.The problem is instead one of speed and scale.

The Economist

Many of the stresses known to damage fetuses can be ameliorated by better health education, nutrition supplements and targeted subsidies.

The Economist

Growth often creates significant injustices which are ameliorated when popular outrage demands change.

The Economist

The contempt of many Tories for Mr Bercow was painfully apparent, and not obviously ameliorated by his oblique reference to the way his political views have evolved.

The Economist

But some of the consequences can be ameliorated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ameliorated" when you want to emphasize that a negative situation has been improved, often through specific actions or interventions. It's suitable for formal contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

While "ameliorated" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "improved" or "eased" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ameliorated" is as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes the action of making something better, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis and the example sentences provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

31%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ameliorated" functions as a verb, indicating the improvement of a previously negative situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in formal writing. Its usage patterns, detailed by Ludwig, show a prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While highly appropriate for formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. Remember to use "ameliorated" when you specifically want to emphasize the improvement of something negative, distinguishing it from the more general term "improved".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved

Focuses on the general enhancement of something's quality or condition, without necessarily implying the reduction of suffering or negativity.

alleviated

Specifically emphasizes the reduction of pain, suffering, or severity of something negative.

mitigated

Highlights the lessening of the impact or severity of something harmful or negative.

eased

Suggests a gradual reduction in intensity or difficulty, often implying a sense of relief.

lessened

Indicates a decrease in size, extent, or intensity.

relieved

Focuses on removing or reducing discomfort or distress.

reduced

Points to a decrease in amount, size, or degree.

improved upon

Emphasizes that enhancements have been built on a previous state.

rectified

Highlights the correction of something that was wrong or incorrect.

corrected

Focuses on fixing errors or faults.

FAQs

How is "ameliorated" used in a sentence?

The term "ameliorated" is typically used to describe the improvement of a negative condition. For example, "The new policies "ameliorated" the economic situation" means the policies made the economic situation better.

What are some synonyms for "ameliorated"?

Alternatives to "ameliorated" include "improved", "alleviated", "mitigated", "eased", and "lessened". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "ameliorated" instead of "improved"?

"Ameliorated" is more specific than "improved". Use "ameliorated" when you want to emphasize that something negative has been made better. "Improved" is a more general term for making something better, regardless of its initial state.

Is "ameliorated" formal or informal?

"Ameliorated" is generally considered a formal term. In informal contexts, simpler words like "improved" or "helped" might be more appropriate.