Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Ameliorate
verb
/ uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt /
Hard
Meaning
To make something bad or unsatisfactory better; to improve a difficult or unpleasant situation
Origin / Etymology
French ameliorer — from Old French meilleur (better), from Latin melior (better)
Synonyms
Alleviate
Improve
Mitigate
Enhance
Better
Antonyms
Exacerbate
Worsen
Aggravate
Deteriorate
Example Sentence
"Policy interventions such as MGNREGS and PM-KISAN were designed to ameliorate rural distress and provide a social safety net for agrarian communities."
🎯 UPSC Usage
A sophisticated alternative to 'improve' in essay and GS answers. Pair it with its antonym 'exacerbate' for nuanced writing. Example: 'While welfare schemes ameliorate immediate poverty, structural reforms are needed to address root causes.'
Relevant Subjects