rethink

verb

re·​think (ˌ)rē-ˈthiŋk 

rethought (ˌ)rē-ˈthȯt  ; rethinking

transitive verb

: to think about again : reconsider

intransitive verb

: to engage in reconsideration

rethink

ˈrē-ˌthiŋk 

ˈrē-ˈthiŋk

noun

rethinker noun

Synonyms of rethink

• reconsider
• revisit
• review

Examples of rethink in a Sentence

You had better rethink your decision.

The government is rethinking its policy.

He took a moment to rethink.

Recent Examples on the Web

Brussels began rethinking its Big Tech crackdown last year, but has since faced calls to hold firm and increase enforcement, despite threats of US retaliation over the continent’s regulatory impulses. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Arguments such as these distracted the public from rethinking the true cost of stripping public coffers and actively widening the country’s income gap. —Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026

Target’s embrace of Cymbiotika also reflects a broader shift in how mainstream retail is rethinking health. —Gabby Shacknai, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Designed for students interested in careers in medicine, public health, or health policy, this course will challenge students to rethink the ethical and epistemological frameworks that underlie modern healthcare. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for rethink

• bethink
• downlink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink
• drink

Kids Definition

rethink

verb

re·​think rē-ˈthiŋk 

rethought -ˈthȯt  ; rethinking

: to think about again : reconsider