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

Knowles-Nelson Stewardship removed from the budget The Joint Finance Committee ultimately voted, along party lines, not to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in the 2025 to 2027 state budget. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 30 June 2025

The bill sought to reauthorize the Commission on Farm Transitions-Needs for 2050 and make improvements based on Committee Member Yadira Caraveo’s (D-Colo.) bipartisan legislation. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 May 2025

However, the labor market has changed significantly since WIOA was last reauthorized in 2014; Congress needs to update the statute to account for current economic realities, emerging challenges, and new opportunities brought on by technological advancements. —Sara Schapiro, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Musk's tenure is currently set to expire in late May unless reauthorized under a different designation. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

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