refresh

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb refresh differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refresh are rejuvenate, renew, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When would rejuvenate be a good substitute for refresh?

The words rejuvenate and refresh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Where would renew be a reasonable alternative to refresh?

Although the words renew and refresh have much in common, 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

When can renovate be used instead of refresh?

The meanings of renovate and refresh largely overlap; however, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

In what contexts can restore take the place of refresh?

The words restore and refresh can be used in similar contexts, but restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refresh Sheila Huff asked me to refresh her memories about old blues and jazz clubs. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Showers arrive in quick, dramatic storms, refreshing the landscape and turning the sky into a canvas of moody clouds, vivid rainbows, and golden light. Cherri Briggs, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025 Rounding out the trio is the Circadian Cream Overnight Collagen Seal ($135), a rich overnight mask that doesn’t fully absorb—by design—so skin wakes up still visibly moisturized and refreshed. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Seasoned style insiders know: there’s no better moment to refresh your wardrobe than during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for refresh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refresh
Verb
  • The supplementation of vitamin B12 and iron helps restore the most common deficiencies in AG.
    Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 28 June 2025
  • From restoring elasticity to quenching dryness and nourishing the skin with essential vitamins and minerals, the best body oils can make everything below the neck supple, satiny, and ready to shine.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The successful hatchings come about a year after Scout ate two of his chicks as a first-time dad, leaving the pair with no surviving eaglets from their first nesting season, McClatchy News previously reported.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Starbucks is bulking up staffing as Niccol pushes to revive sales in part by speeding up service.
    Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025
  • Other small towns and villages across Italy have offered houses for as little as €1 to revive shrinking communities.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • For developers, that means skipping file browsers in favor of instant API calls that feed data directly into live models.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Results revealed that insects that fed on isoprene leaves showed stunted growth, likely stemming from digestive problems triggered by exposure to the chemical, unlike those that munched on the normal leaves.
    Jay Kakade June 30, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Culling from the Food team’s reporting and writing in June, Danielle Dorsey has more suggestions on where to dine right now in Los Angeles.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
  • Those memories of Lea are why Amy was nearly teary-eyed while dining at A Tavola last weekend.
    Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Mamdani said his campaign renewed faith in democracy.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • As a result, some VMware users have opted to keep using VMware perpetual licenses, even though Broadcom refuses to renew most of those clients’ support services.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Refresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refresh. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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