rewrite

verb re·write \ (ˌ)rē-ˈrīt \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: rewrite in a Sentence

Definition of rewrite

rewrote play \(ˌ)rē-ˈrōt\; rewritten play \(ˌ)rē-ˈri-tᵊn\; rewriting play \(ˌ)rē-ˈrī-tiŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to write in reply

2 : to make a revision of (something, such as a story) : cause to be revised: such as

a : to put (contributed material) into form for publication

b : to alter (previously published material) for use in another publication

intransitive verb

: to revise something previously written

—

rewriter

noun

See rewrite defined for English-language learners

See rewrite defined for kids

Examples of rewrite in a Sentence

The teacher asked him to rewrite the essay.
I had to rewrite the computer program.

Recent Examples of rewrite from the Web

Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, said Congress should consider revoking or rewriting the U.S. Olympic Committee's charter to include more oversight.

— tim evans, Indianapolis Star, "5 takeaways from the U.S. Senate hearing about Larry Nassar," 5 June 2018
Crowe has contended that Stephan has lied about some of her actions and tried to rewrite history by minimizing her role in the case.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Families in high profile cases come out in final days of DA race," 2 June 2018
This would allow developers to build apps for one platform that would run on another, i.e., someone could build an iOS app that could also run on a Mac without having to rewrite the code for macOS.

— lauren goode, WIRED, "What to Expect from Apple’s Annual Software Conference," 1 June 2018
Nu-metal began as a middle finger to the past, but as the end of the millennium approached, bands looked to rewrite rock history.

— richard s. he, Billboard, "August 18, 1998: Korn, Kid Rock, Orgy & The Biggest Day in Nu-Metal History," 30 May 2018
House Bill 233, which was rewritten by the Senate, ratchets down the deduction, starting in 2021, to 50 percent for donations between $100,000 and $300,000, instead of 100 percent.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Juneau wrap-up, part 4: Lawmakers tighten business tax credit for donations to schools," 30 May 2018
With a favorable forecast and temperatures expected in the 80s this weekend, Davies hopes to rewrite the record books again on Friday and Saturday in the state championships at Shippensburg University.

— aaron carter, Philly.com, "Olympic hopeful Thelma Davies is outrunning opponents, even a mysterious rash," 24 May 2018
But when states rewrite their laws to take advantage of the decision, more people of all ages will be able to gamble on all sports while comfortably watching a game on their couch.

— susan jacoby, Time, "Why the Worst Thing About Baseball Is Also the Best Thing About Baseball," 24 May 2018
The premise has promise: In view of the way human beings are behaving, God decides to rewrite the Ten Commandments.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "'Act of God' at Bucks County Playhouse: Some laughs, but few hosannas," 21 May 2018

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

First Known Use of rewrite

1567

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

rewrite

noun re·write \ ˈrē-ˌrīt \

Definition of rewrite

1 : a piece of writing (such as a news story) constructed by rewriting

2 : an act or instance of rewriting

Recent Examples of rewrite from the Web

Anyone else might want to wait until this once no-doubt fascinating libretto by Giacinto Cigognini gets a rewrite (though Haymarket, committed to historical authenticity, would eschew that).

— deanna isaacs, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Opera / Performing Arts Haymarket Opera's L'Orontea is a time machine to the 17th century," 5 June 2018
The play’s writer character is David, played with vulnerable edge and adorable intensity by Carl Howell, a novelist who’s late with the rewrites of his latest book.

— christopher arnott, courant.com, "A Quirky, Unpredictable 'The Revisionist' At Playhouse On Park," 16 Apr. 2018
Public Citizen, a nonprofit watchdog group, said in a Jan. 30 report that more than 4,600 lobbyists were engaged specifically on the tax rewrite while several thousand more sought to influence tax policy in addition to other legislative matters.

— richard lardner, The Seattle Times, "Money spent on lobbying skyrocketed during tax overhaul," 11 Feb. 2018
Notably, the city launched its rule rewrite amid a bitter court fight with developer Paul Petrovich over his desire to build a 16-pump fuel center in his Crocker Village housing and commercial development project.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "Gas stations and pot businesses not welcome, Sacramento says. Here's where and why | The Sacramento Bee," 13 May 2018
The meeting came as the administration has been holding extensive negotiations with Mexico and Canada on a rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which the auto industry is watching warily.

— CBS News, "Trump hopes to negotiate with California on fuel economy standards," 12 May 2018
The Senate majority refused to include the cash in its version of the capital budget, but supporters of the program had pushed members of the House majority to add it to their rewrite.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "From crime laws to construction spending, Alaska lawmakers did a lot in the past 48 hours. Here’s what you missed.," 11 May 2018
History alone favors some four-legged script rewrite to rise from the field and clip Justify’s run.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Next move? Preakness status of Bolt d'Oro suddenly, surprisingly up in air," 9 May 2018
The report criticized the former head of the State Police for ordering a rewrite of an arrest report of a judge’s daughter.

— andrea estes, BostonGlobe.com, "Report criticizes ex-State Police head for arrest report rewrite," 27 Apr. 2018