rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt (ˌ)rē-ˈbilt  ; rebuilding

transitive verb

1

a

: to make extensive repairs to : reconstruct

rebuild a war-torn city

b

: to restore to a previous state

rebuild inventories

2

: to make extensive changes in : remodel

rebuild society

intransitive verb

: to build again

planned to rebuild after the fire

Choose the Right Synonym for rebuild

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of rebuild in a Sentence

He rebuilt his house after it was destroyed by a fire.

They tried to rebuild after the earthquake.

The new owner plans to rebuild the franchise.

The team is rebuilding after losing most of its top players.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bernabeu, rebuilt at great expense by Real Madrid, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now stand as the gold standard for clubs who want to widen their revenue streams. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

Every dollar seized from corrupt officials should be locked in this escrow account, designated strictly for rebuilding power, water, hospitals and promoting free elections once democracy is achieved. —Elijah Manley, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

Stetson also plans to rebuild Hulley Tower, a campus bell tower and mausoleum that was destroyed by several hurricanes. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

The former president claimed that his economic platform would rebuild the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, as opposed to the trickle-down strategy employed by Republicans for decades. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for rebuild

• backfilled
• distilled
• fulfilled
• infilled
• instilled
• refilled
• unfilled
• unskilled
• untilled
• billed
• build
• chilled

Kids Definition

rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt -ˈbilt  ; rebuilding

1

: to make important repairs to or changes in

rebuild an old house

2

: to build again

planned to rebuild after the fire