reauthorize

verb

re·​au·​tho·​rize (ˌ)rē-ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz How to pronounce reauthorize (audio)
reauthorized; reauthorizing; reauthorizes

transitive verb

: to authorize (something or someone) again
especially : to renew the authority or effective legal power, warrant, or right of
called for Congress to reauthorize the Clean Water Act
Since passage, each law has been amended or "reauthorized," a confusing process under which existing statutes are reenacted with new language. Gregg Easterbrook
reauthorization noun
plural reauthorizations
Congressional leaders are expected to continue negotiating a long-term reauthorization of the program in the coming weeks. Mike Debonis

Examples of reauthorize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Lawmakers will vote on reauthorizing the agency. Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026 LaMalfa’s final legislative push was reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools Act, a funding program for rural school districts. Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026 The House of Representatives this week passed a bipartisan bill reauthorizing the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)—the independent federal agency that regulates America’s international ocean transportation system. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 17 Dec. 2025 Specifically, the temporary pandemic-era allowances that have been repeatedly renewed to enable payments, could no longer be reauthorized. Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reauthorize

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reauthorize was in 1605

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Cite this Entry

“Reauthorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reauthorize. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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