reformverb [ I or T ]
uk/rɪˈfɔːm/us/rɪˈfɔːrm/C2 to make an improvement, especially by changing a person's behaviour or the structure of something:
Who will reform our unfair electoral system?
For years I was an alcoholic, but I reformed when the doctors gave me six months to live.
More examples
- He was given licence to reform the organization.
- The president is preparing for a showdown with his advisers over his plans to reform the economy.
- He was credited with having reformed the education system.
- The government is in the process of reforming the benefits system.
- On leaving jail, Joe determined to reform.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making things better
- a shot in the arm idiom
- add salt to sth idiom
- allay
- alleviate
- ameliorate
- heal
- make sb/sth over
- mitigate
- mollify
- more
- palliate
- redeem
- relieve
- salve
- spice sth up
- sting
- straighten
- straighten sb out
- streamline
- sugar-coated
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Becoming better
reformation
noun [ C or U ] uk/ˌref.əˈmeɪ.ʃən/us/ˌref.ɚˈmeɪ.ʃən/
He's undergone something of a reformation - he's a changed man.
reformnoun [ C or U ]
uk/rɪˈfɔːm/us/rɪˈfɔːrm/C2 an improvement, especially in a person's behaviour or in the structure of something:
Some reforms of/to the system will be necessary.
The education system was crying out for reform.
More examples
- Political reform and economic liberalization don't always go together.
- An avowed traditionalist, he is against reform of any kind.
- The education system in Britain was crying out for reform.
- The reform process was put in train in 1985, by the Liberal government.
- The political reforms have led to major structural changes in the economy.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming better
- alive
- by/in leaps and bounds idiom
- come alive idiom
- come along
- consolidate
- move
- move on to bigger/better things idiom
- on the up (and up) idiom
- perk
- perk up
- pick
- rally
- shape
- straighten up
- turn over a new leaf idiom
- turn sth around
- turn sth round
- turn the corner idiom
- warm
- warm up
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