The phrase 'were reformed' is often used to indicate that something has undergone a change or improvement. Synonyms for this term include 'were transformed', 'were revitalized', 'were renewed', 'were improved', and 'were reconstructed'. While these may all have slightly different connotations, they convey a similar sense of change for the better. Other phrases that could be used to convey this idea include 'were overhauled', 'were remodeled', 'were upgraded', 'were renovated', and 'were revamped'. Whether you're talking about a person, a place, or an institution, there are many ways to express the idea of positive change with synonyms for the phrase 'were reformed'.