reframe

verb

re·​frame (ˌ)rē-ˈfrām How to pronounce reframe (audio)
reframed; reframing

transitive verb

: to frame (something) again and often in a different way
Tom, a seasoned renovator, … reframed the crooked doorways …Gillian Barth
The more lines of discoloration there are near the frame edges (from where the mounting paper has been exposed to light), the more times the silhouette has probably been reframed.Carolyn B. Noyes
… deftly reframes the debate, asserting that the war was never about W.M.D.s but about transforming the political dynamic of the region …Yoni Brenner
… cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which patients slowly expose themselves to the places and circumstances that frighten them and reframe the catastrophic thinking that torments them.Jeffrey Kluger
All failures are reframed as "good tries."Jon Krause

Examples of reframe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Elba: The opportunity for Africa is to reframe how not only Africans see themselves via telling stories, but the opportunity is to have the world see Africa in a different way. Nell Lewis, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 America’s racial divisions are examined and reframed as a caste system. Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 That was until Cooper brought it up and reframed the situation for him. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 In a similar vein, the WTO would be well-positioned to reframe the trade system’s approach to contested subsidies, such as the incentives for clean energy found in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Dan Esty, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024 Leaders have long been taught the power of reframing to focus and inspire others. Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The onus is both political and the personal The challenge, in Woods’ mind, is reframing the cost as necessary on both a corporate and personal level, rather than a nice-to-have. Jane Thier, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 Rankine knew the hoodie would forever be associated with the murder of Trayvon Martin, that that association redirects but doesn’t necessarily reframe the hoodie as a symbol of black masculinity. Peter Rubin, Longreads, 25 Jan. 2024 Now, the Jewish community of Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh is looking to reframe their place in history by creating new worship space along with an education center and memorial. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reframe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reframe was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near reframe

Cite this Entry

“Reframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reframe. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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