Ameliorate traces back to melior, the Latin adjective meaning "better," and is a synonym of the verbs better and improve.

What is the root of amenable?

Amenable literally means "lead to," and it comes from a Latin root meaning "shouting at cattle to drive them." That root is closely related to minari, which means "to threaten, or to jut out." And that means amenable is a relative of our words eminent, imminent, and minatory.

Is ameliorate a common word?

IMPROVE usually implies remedying a lack or a felt need: to improve a process, oneself (as by gaining more knowledge). AMELIORATE, a formal word, implies improving oppressive, unjust, or difficult conditions: to ameliorate working conditions. ... The word in parentheses is less common, but still correct.