v., -formed, -form·ing, -forms.

v.tr.

1. To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition.
2. 1. To abolish abuse or malpractice in: reform the government.
   2. To put an end to (a wrong). See synonyms at correct.
3. To cause (a person) to give up harmful or immoral practices; persuade to adopt a better way of life.

v.intr.

To change for the better.

n.

1. A change for the better; an improvement.
2. Correction of evils, abuses, or errors.
3. Action to improve social or economic conditions without radical or revolutionary change.

adj.

1. Relating to or favoring reform: a reform candidate for mayor.
2. Reform Of or relating to Reform Judaism.

[Middle English reformen, from Old French reformer, from Latin refōrmāre : re-, re- + fōrmāre, to shape (from fōrma, form).]

reformability re·form'a·bil'i·ty n.
reformable re·form'a·ble adj.
reformer re·form'er n.

verb

To make right what is wrong: amend, correct, emend, mend, rectify, redress, remedy, right. See correct/incorrect.

v

Definition: correct, rectify
Antonyms: hurt, impair, worsen

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To correct, modify, or rectify; synonymous with "amend." 517 S.W. 2d 379, 382.

A cynical view of the world by Ambrose Bierce

v.

A thing that mostly satisfies reformers opposed to reformation.

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IN BRIEF: Change for the better.

At twenty a man is full of fight and hope. He wants to reform the world. When he is seventy he still wants to reform the world, but he knows he can't. — Clarence Darrow (1857-1938)

Quotes:

"Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won." - Louisa May Alcott

"Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences." - Susan B. Anthony

"You begin saving the world by saving one man at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics." - Charles Bukowski

"Reform is not pleasant, but grievous; no person can reform themselves without suffering and hard work, how much less a nation." - Thomas Carlyle

"To reform a world, to reform a nation, no wise man will undertake; and all but foolish men know, that the only solid, though a far slower reformation, is what each begins and perfects on himself." - Thomas Carlyle

"People who love soft methods and hate iniquity forget this, -- that reform consists in taking a bone from a dog. Philosophy will not do it." - John Jay Chapman

See more famous quotes about Reform

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Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - reformere, forbedre, afskaffe
v. intr. - reformere, forbedre
n. - reform, forbedring, ændring
adj. - reform-, ændrings-, opdragelses-

idioms:

• reform school    opdragelsesskole, opdragelseshjem

Nederlands (Dutch)
zich beteren, hervormen, juridisch document corrigeren, koolwaterstof omvormen d.m.v. katalyse, opnieuw vormen, hervorming, verbetering, betreffende Gereformeerde Kerk of Reform jodendom

Français (French)
v. tr. - réformer
v. intr. - se réformer
n. - réforme
adj. - réformateur

idioms:

• reform school    (US) maison de redressement

Deutsch (German)
n. - Reform, Besserung
v. - (sich) bessern, reformieren
adj. - Reform-

idioms:

• reform school    Fürsorgeerziehungsheim

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αναμόρφωση, μεταρρύθμιση, αποκατάσταση, ανασχηματισμός
v. - αναμορφώνω, μεταρρυθμίζω/-ομαι, αποκαθιστώ, διορθώνω/-ομαι, ανασχηματίζω/-ομαι
adj. - μεταρρυθμιστικός

idioms:

• reform school    αναμορφωτήριο

Italiano (Italian)
emendarsi, riformare, riforma

idioms:

• reform school    riformatorio

Português (Portuguese)
n. - reforma (f)
v. - reformar, corrigir
adj. - reformado

idioms:

• reform school    reformatório

Русский (Russian)
исправиться, реформировать, реформа

idioms:

• reform school    исправительное заведение для малолетних

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - reformar, corregir, enmendar
v. intr. - reformarse, enmendarse, corregirse
n. - reforma
adj. - relativo o perteneciente a una reforma

idioms:

• reform school    correccional (de menores), reformatorio

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - reform, förbättring, omdaning
v. - förbättra, omvända, avhjälpa, bättra sig
adj. - förbättrad

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
改革, 改良, 革新, 改造, 使悔改, 革除, 重组, 改过, 自新, 改善, 改革的, 拥护改革的

idioms:

• reform school    少年感化院

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 改革, 改良, 革新, 改造, 使悔改, 革除
v. intr. - 革新, 重組, 改過
n. - 改革, 改良, 改過, 自新, 改善
adj. - 改革的, 擁護改革的

idioms:

• reform school    少年感化院

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 개혁하다, 재편성하다
v. intr. - 다시 형태로 이루다, 재편성되다
n. - 개정, 개혁, 구제
adj. - 개혁할 수 있는, 개심할 가망이 있는

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 改善, 改革
v. - 改善する, 改心させる

idioms:

• reform school    感化院

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) إعادة تشكيل, اصلاح (فعل) يصلح (صفه) ما يتعلق باليهود المصلحين أو اليهوديه المصلحه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮תיקן, החזיר למוטב, שיפר, שידד מערכות, יצר מחדש, גיבש מחדש, הסתדר או נערך מחדש‬
v. intr. - ‮השתפר‬
n. - ‮תיקון, תקנה, רפורמה, מוסד לנוער עברייני‬
adj. - ‮של התנועה הרפורמית היהודית‬

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