mending
Patching worn fabric
Mending is the act of repairing something, especially clothing: a basket of mending refers to items waiting to be patched or sewn.
The word implies restoration rather than replacement—fixing what's torn or broken.
Relationships can also need mending: They're on the mend suggests recovery or reconciliation is underway.
Repairing fabric by weaving
- patchingRepairing by covering
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- threadFiber for stitching
thimble · seam · hem · tear · rip · fabric · cloth · garment
Restoring proper function
- patchingRepairing by covering
- gluingFastening with adhesive
- solderingLow-temp metal fusion
- weldingHeat-fusing metal pieces
adhesive · tape · tools · clamp · epoxy · filler · screws · bolts
Coiled, or an injury
- bandageWound covering strip
- salveTopical healing preparation
- ointmentMedicated skin cream
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
plaster · scab · scar · tissue · bruise · fracture · sprain · therapy
Restoration of friendly relations
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- bridge-buildingEstablishing connections between estranged parties
- healingRestoration of health
rapprochement · resolution · repairing · patching up · making peace · restoration · trust · communication
Valuable old items
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- refurbishmentRenewal of worn items
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
heritage · historical · patina · authenticity · curator · museum · frescoes · relics
darning
Repairing fabric by weaving
thread · thimble · seam · hem · tear · rip · fabric · cloth · garment · darn
fixing
Restoring proper function
welding · adhesive · tape · tools · clamp · epoxy · filler · screws · bolts · brackets
wound
Coiled, or an injury
antiseptic · plaster · scab · scar · tissue · bruise · fracture · sprain · therapy · convalescence
reconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- bridge-buildingEstablishing connections between estranged parties
healing · rapprochement · resolution · repairing · patching up · making peace · restoration · trust · communication · understanding
antiques
Valuable old items
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- refurbishmentRenewal of worn items
artifacts · heritage · historical · patina · authenticity · curator · museum · frescoes · relics · tapestries
- healingmeditation, emotional healing, yoga, tissue repair, mindfulness
- restorationrestoration, repair, renovation, rebuilding, refurbishment
- clothing alterationsaltering, hemming, tailoring, patching, darning
- cobblingcobbler, resoling, heel repair, stitching, patching
- Depression survivalbread lines, soup kitchens, Hoovervilles, making do, scrimping
- mendingreweaving, hole repair, sew-on patch, iron-on patch, fabric patch
mendingbreaking
Coming apart suddenly
damaging · tearing · destroying · ripping · ruining
mendingworsening
Becoming more severe
deteriorating · declining · weakening · failing · degenerating
mendingdiscarding
Removing what's unwanted
throwing away · disposing · junking · trashing · scrapping
- mending fencesRepairing damaged relationships
- fence mendingRestoring broken relationships
- mending one's waysImproving one's conduct
- visible mendingIntentionally conspicuous textile repair
- mending tapeAdhesive strip for repairs