Ameliorate

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