recalibrate

verb

re·​cal·​i·​brate (ˌ)rē-ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt 

recalibrated; recalibrating; recalibrates

transitive verb

: to calibrate (something) again

… these systems gradually drift off course so that the navigator periodically needs a fresh point of reference to recalibrate the navigation system.

—Stefi Weisburd

The problem is that eating more doesn't sate us; we merely recalibrate how much we think we need.

—Nando Pelusi

recalibration

(ˌ)rē-ˌka-lə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

plural recalibrations

Literacy standards were in need of constant recalibration, as each new phase of the war could inflate or deflate the value of existing skills, inflate or deflate the effectiveness of existing induction policies and instructional efforts.

—Deborah Brandt

Examples of recalibrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For consumers, that makes the likely shift in car lots more gradual, with more trucks and SUVs, stronger hybrid emphasis, and a potentially slower EV ramp-up as automakers take time to recalibrate. —Julian Torres, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026

In recent years, though, things have started to change as more and more barbecue cooks rethink and recalibrate their sides. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026

But that’s only part of his career arc as an engineer who became a global industrial leader, then chose to step away and recalibrate what achievement means. —Nia Bowers, Ascend Agency, 20 Feb. 2026

Trump’s tariffs had upended global trade, leading to countries like Canada to recalibrate their economic partnerships in response to the punitive actions. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recalibrate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate