refreshing

adjective

re·​fresh·​ing ri-ˈfre-shiŋ 

: serving to refresh

especially : agreeably stimulating because of freshness or newness

a refreshing change of pace

refreshingly

ri-ˈfre-shiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of refreshing

• restorative
• reviving
• stimulating
• vitalizing
• rejuvenating
• bracing
• vital
• invigorating
• tonic
• cordial
• medicinal
• healthy

Examples of refreshing in a Sentence

Working on the new project was a refreshing change.

It is refreshing to hear some good news about him.

a refreshing glass of cold water

My swim was very refreshing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chicago might not have necessarily gotten dazzling returns on its trades — nine second-round picks were acquired in the last week alone — but for a team that’s been stuck in Play-In Purgatory for years, the sense of direction is refreshing, at least. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026

There, Dragone uncorked a bottle of the estate’s refreshing Malvasia Greco di Basilicata and filled my glass. —Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

Ditch the jarred stuff and go a more creative route with this refreshing Black Bean and Corn Salsa. —Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026

That’s a refreshing outlook one wants to believe in. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refreshing

• fleshing
• meshing
• threshing

Kids Definition

refreshing

adjective

re·​fresh·​ing ri-ˈfresh-iŋ 

: serving to refresh

especially : pleasing because of freshness or newness