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 organization primarily serves single mothers, offering rent assistance, childcare, career training and long-term support designed to help families rebuild after financial hardship. —Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

Both D’Adesky and Rolland say the film also reflects Rwanda’s broader story of rebuilding in the decades since the genocide. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025

Behind closed doors, Swift and her team quietly rebuilt the show during a short break, learning new choreography, reworking sets and keeping it all secret. —Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2025

Sebert rebuilt her reputation and supported her children by writing country songs for other artists, all while her own album sat on the shelf collecting dust. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2025

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