renew

verb

re·​new ri-ˈnü How to pronounce renew (audio)
-ˈnyü
renewed; renewing; renews

transitive verb

1
: to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection
as we renew our strength in sleep
2
: to make new spiritually : regenerate
3
a
: to restore to existence : revive
b
: to make extensive changes in : rebuild
4
: to do again : repeat
5
: to begin again : resume
6
: replace, replenish
renew water in a tank
7
a
: to grant or obtain an extension of or on
renew a license
b
: to grant or obtain an extension on the loan of
renew a library book

intransitive verb

1
: to become new or as new
2
: to begin again : resume
3
: to make a renewal (as of a lease)
renewer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for renew

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of renew in a Sentence

When you sleep, your body has a chance to renew itself. This discussion has renewed my hope of finding a solution to the problem. At the start of each school year, we renew our commitment to helping students succeed. She renewed her promise to come see me. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by renewing their wedding vows. They have renewed their efforts to find a peaceful solution. The incident has renewed hostilities between the groups. They recently renewed their acquaintance after more than 10 years apart. If you haven't listened to this music since the 1960s, it's time to renew your acquaintance with these songs.
Recent Examples on the Web The show was renewed for a third season halfway through season two airing. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2024 The show was officially renewed for a second season in June 2023. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024 State Farm won’t renew 72,000 insurance policies in California, worsening the state’s insurance crisis. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024 What’s now certain is that Joe Rogan isn’t leaving Spotify anytime soon; the two sides just renewed their deal last month, and Bloomberg’s Ashley Carman only yesterday illustrated Rogan’s grip over the podcast industry. Chris Welch, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024 The original Law & Order was also renewed on Thursday. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 The two companies already had a marketing partnership that renewed in 2022. Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024 Wisconsin law requires such personnel to receive 36 hours of firearms training and six hours of refresher training to renew a permit annually. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, buzz from the show renewed interest in the book, which landed as a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, and the soundtrack became the No. 1-selling vinyl on Amazon. Partner Content, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'renew.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of renew was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near renew

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

renew

verb
re·​new ri-ˈn(y)ü How to pronounce renew (audio)
1
: to make or become new, fresh, or strong again
strength renewed by a night's rest
2
: to restore to existence
renew the splendor of a palace
3
: to do or make again
renew a complaint
4
: to begin again : resume
renewed efforts to make peace
5
: to put in a fresh supply of : replace
renew the water in a tank
6
: to grant or obtain an extension of : continue in force for another period
renew a lease
renew a subscription
renewer noun

Legal Definition

renew

transitive verb
re·​new ri-ˈnü, -ˈnyü How to pronounce renew (audio)
1
: to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection
specifically : to prevent the lapse of (a judgment) due to expiration of a statute of limitations
2
: to do or state again
renewed his objection to the evidence
3
: to grant or obtain again or as an extension
renew a lease

intransitive verb

1
: to become new or as new
2
: to make a renewal (as of a contract)
renewable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on renew

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