refresh

verb

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re·fresh | \ ri-ˈfresh

refreshed; refreshing; refreshes

Definition of refresh

transitive verb

1 : to restore strength and animation to : revive

2 : to freshen up : renovate

3a : to restore or maintain by renewing supply : replenish

b : arouse, stimulate let me refresh your memory

4 : to run water over or restore water to

5 : to update or renew (something, such as an image, the contents of a computer memory, or the displayed version of a Web page) especially by sending a new signal … on a 720p HDTV, each pixel gets refreshed 60 times a second. — Family Circle If you are unsure of whether the content you are viewing on a Web page is current, you should refresh the Web page.— Gary B. Shelley and Misty E. Vermaat

intransitive verb

1 : to become refreshed

2 : to take refreshment

3 : to lay in fresh provisions

Other Words from refresh Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about refresh

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Choose the Right Synonym for refresh

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new. renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new. efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss. restored a fine piece of furniture refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power. a refreshing drink renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding. the apartment has been entirely renovated rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance. the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of refresh in a Sentence

brought out some iced tea to refresh the spirits of the folks working out in the sun we were looking for a family-friendly restaurant where we could sit down and refresh before continuing

Recent Examples on the Web That afforded a moment for Blashill to refresh his message during practice. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings approach final weekend with gratitude. Here's why," 7 May 2021 If the SHIPYARD Act keeps moving forward, President Biden should engage somebody capable of using the $25 billion subsidy to both build shipyards and refresh the Navy Secretary’s overall authority at the Pentagon. — Craig Hooper, Forbes, "SHIPYARD Act Gains Momentum, Raising The Stakes For New SECNAV Nominee," 6 May 2021 Instead of subjecting a special place to the overpowering force of real-estate habit, New York could use it to cultivate a new architectural openness and refresh its repertoire of traditions. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, "What Could Governors Island Be?," 3 May 2021 To refresh your home for summer, our editors hand-picked their favorite items from the new summer 2021 Better Homes & Gardens Walmart collection. — Samantha Driscoll, Better Homes & Gardens, "Our Favorite Home Products from the Summer Better Homes & Gardens Walmart Collection," 30 Apr. 2021 The project synced perfectly with the mission of the paper’s executive editor, Dean Baquet, and its CEO, Mark Thompson: to refresh the Gray Lady for a new multimedia age. — James Harkin, Harper's Magazine, "Sign of the Times," 27 Apr. 2021 Bear emerged with a frosty shaker in his hand and bent to refresh the ladies’ drinks. — Lauren Groff, The New Yorker, "What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?," 27 Apr. 2021 With warmer weather on the horizon, now’s a great time to refresh your wardrobe and your home. — Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, "That Gorgeous Game-Changing Pan Everyone on Social Media Cooks with Is on Sale This Weekend," 23 Apr. 2021 Since chalk paint debuted in 1990, it's been a pal to innumerable DIYers who aim to refresh an aspect of their homes, particularly furniture, without often needing to accomplish the extra tasks of priming or sanding first. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "We Asked Annie Sloan How to Chalk Paint Furniture—She Invented It, After All," 14 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'refresh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Refresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refresh. Accessed 14 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for refresh

refresh

verb

English Language Learners Definition of refresh

: to make (someone) have more energy and feel less tired or less hot

: to give someone more of (a drink) : to fill (someone's glass, cup, etc.) again

computers : to put (something, such as a page on the Internet) into a computer's memory again in order to show any new information : to cause an updated version of (something, such as an Internet page) to appear on a computer screen

See the full definition for refresh in the English Language Learners Dictionary

refresh

verb

re·fresh | \ ri-ˈfresh

refreshed; refreshing