reenact

verb

re·​en·​act ˌrē-ə-ˈnakt How to pronounce reenact (audio)
reenacted; reenacting; reenacts

transitive verb

1
: to enact (something, such as a law) again
2
: to act or perform again
3
: to repeat the actions of (an earlier event or incident)
reenactment noun

Examples of reenact in a Sentence

The group reenacted a famous American Civil War battle.
Recent Examples on the Web The minimum wage increase was included in a bill passed three years ago but had to be reenacted; Republicans tried to kill it earlier this year and were blocked by Democrats in the Senate. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 While the exact details of what did or didn’t happen on Diana’s final day have not been shared to the detail they are reenacted in the series, Prince William and Prince Harry admitted in a 2017 documentary that their last phone call with their mother was rushed. Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023 Thompson, along with friends, appeared to reenact the shooting. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 18 Nov. 2023 This exclusive advent calendar has a fun figurine or sticker surprise for each of the 24 days represented on the calendar so kids can reenact their favorite episodes or come up with their own adventures for the Australian pups. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 31 Oct. 2023 The first featured her and her 10-year-old daughter, North West, reenacting another movie throwback, this time the 1995 rom-com Clueless. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 1 Nov. 2023 The second part deals with the federal government’s agreement not to reenact the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy, which led to family separations, for at least eight years. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2023 So, real-life Joan watches in horror as the fake Joan on the TV screen, who is played by Salma Hayek, reenacts her days and essentially kind of ruins her life. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 12 Oct. 2023 In February, Amurri got to relive her engagement when her fiancé reenacted their Parisian engagement for her three kids, sharing the sweet moment on Instagram. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reenact.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reenact was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near reenact

Cite this Entry

“Reenact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reenact. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

reenact

verb
re·​en·​act ˌrē-ə-ˈnakt How to pronounce reenact (audio)
1
: to enact again
2
: to perform again
reenactment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on reenact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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