rewire

verb

re·​wire (ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)r 

rewired; rewiring

transitive verb

1

: to provide or connect (something) with wire again

especially : to replace the electrical wiring of (something, such as a building or electronic device)

rewired the house

rewire a circuit board

2

: to make lasting and usually beneficial changes to the neurological or psychological functioning of (a person or brain)

—not used technically

The injured brain, moreover, can rewire itself.

—Joan Didion

Not only do studies show that meditation is boosting their immune system, but brain scans suggest that it may be rewiring their brains to reduce stress.

—Joel Stein

… nearly nine out of 10 adult smokers started smoking by age 18; nicotine can rewire youths' brains, making heroin and other opioids even more addictive.

—Delia DeRiggi-Whitton

Can you rewire yourself? I went back through pivotal points in my life, when one should be happy.

—Kim Korson

Examples of rewire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When heading out to look for lamps, take a lightbulb along to test them in-store, but also consider rewiring nonfunctional pieces. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026

One do-it-yourselfer demonstrating step-by-step how to rewire an electrical outlet via a TikTok video replaces thousands of dads and grandpas who could do the same thing. —Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026

Hiking here feels like stepping into a private Eden—the kind of place that rewires your sense of scale, silence, and wonder. —Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

Confident micro-decisions can help rewire your brain and boost your trust in yourself. —Jessica Weiss, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rewire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar