ameliorate
Meaning: To make something bad or unsatisfactory better; to improve conditions or circumstances.
Ameliorate is a formal, somewhat literary word that means to improve a negative situation. It is more elevated than 'improve' and is typically used in academic, policy, and literary contexts. Unlike 'alleviate' (which means to lessen suffering), ameliorate implies genuine improvement of the overall condition. Common collocations include 'ameliorate conditions,' 'ameliorate the situation,' and 'ameliorate the effects of.'
Examples
- Several measures were introduced to ameliorate working conditions in the garment factories. 为改善服装工厂的劳动条件,出台了多项措施。Se introdujeron varias medidas para mejorar las condiciones laborales en las fábricas textiles.縫製工場の労働条件を改善するために、いくつかの措置が導入されました。의류 공장의 근로 조건을 개선하기 위해 여러 조치가 도입되었습니다.
- The charity's efforts to ameliorate the situation were hampered by a lack of funding and political will. 慈善组织改善局势的努力受到了资金不足和政治意愿缺乏的阻碍。Los esfuerzos de la organización benéfica por mejorar la situación se vieron obstaculizados por la falta de financiación y de voluntad política.状況を改善しようとするその慈善団体の取り組みは、資金不足と政治的意思の欠如によって妨げられました。상황을 개선하려는 자선 단체의 노력은 자금 부족과 정치적 의지의 결여로 인해 방해를 받았습니다.
- Urban green spaces can ameliorate the effects of air pollution and heat islands in densely built areas. 城市绿地可以改善人口密集区空气污染和热岛效应的影响。Los espacios verdes urbanos pueden mejorar los efectos de la contaminación atmosférica y las islas de calor en zonas densamente edificadas.都市の緑地は、人口密集地域における大気汚染やヒートアイランド現象の影響を緩和することができます。도시 녹지 공간은 인구 밀집 지역의 대기오염과 열섬 현상의 영향을 개선할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From French améliorer (to make better), from Old French ameillorer, from a- (to) and meillor (better), from Latin melior (better). It entered English in the mid-18th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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