reauthorize

verb

re·​au·​tho·​rize (ˌ)rē-ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

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

(ˌ)rē-ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

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

Legislators are now being asked to reauthorize a multi-billion dollar fund controlled by the governor that was used to build the facility. —Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026

Lawmakers were under pressure to reauthorize the existing policy to reassure investors and stabilize the allowance market. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026

The scope and duration of Section 301 tariffs are fairly open-ended, though the White House must reauthorize the levies every four years, according to a 2024 analysis by the right-leaning Cato Institute. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026

After the initial window, the tariff must be reauthorized by Congress. —Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reauthorize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize