re·write
(ˌ)rē-ˈrīt 
rewrote
(ˌ)rē-ˈrōt
; rewritten
(ˌ)rē-ˈri-tᵊn
; rewriting
(ˌ)rē-ˈrī-tiŋ
; rewritten
(ˌ)rē-ˈri-tᵊn
; rewriting
(ˌ)rē-ˈrī-tiŋ
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
: to revise something previously written
rewriter
noun
1
: a piece of writing (such as a news story) constructed by rewriting
2
: an act or instance of rewriting
Examples of rewrite in a Sentence
Verb
The teacher asked him to rewrite the essay.
I had to rewrite the computer program.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dylan Sherman, arkansasonline.com, 13 Apr. 2024
At a time when many old norms governing public behavior are being rewritten, there’s something appealing about a brutally honest person who’s willing to call out poor conduct among strangers and friends.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2024
The ban requires local artists to rewrite their music to comply with the restrictions by June 1st, or else they won’t be allowed to perform publicly.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024
The language in the email echoed former President Donald Trump, who has worked to rewrite the history of the effort to disrupt the violent attack on the Capitol as lawmakers prepared to certify President Joe Biden ‘s 2020 victory.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
America is divided over major efforts to rewrite child labor laws
Last month, Jaime James of Minnesota picked up a second job as a bartender on top of her day job in health care.
—Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
According to the lawsuit, when Carlo questioned why the lieutenant hadn’t done more to supervise the training, the lieutenant ordered him to rewrite the unit’s safety guidelines and give a briefing to the whole unit on them.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
At that meeting, Ethics Commission board members appeared hesitant to take a stance on the matter, saying their job isn’t to rewrite the ethics code.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
New Orleans Opera rewrote the ending entirely in an effort to empower the main character, who lives instead of killing herself.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Spike Jonze was subsequently brought in to direct the film, which was to be a mix of live-action and animation, with David O. Russell helping with rewrites.
—Ej Panaligan, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
With rewrites and Lee’s stunt man acting as Draven – with Lee’s face digitally added to his – producers finished the film.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024
That came about in a drastic rewrite right at the end.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2024
If their comments do not align with the messages intended, a rewrite is in order to achieve success.
—Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2024
That played a huge role in me developing the character and doing my prep, and finding Ana was part of the rewrite process and bringing on two of my friends — one of which is my co-producer’s brother, Justin Matthews, and his writing partner, Luke Spencer Roberts.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024
All of those initiatives would likely get a rewrite under a Republican president.
—Laura Davison, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024
For example, before Christmas, Reddit made some pretty big changes which necessitated a painful rewrite of a few features.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2024
Verb
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Dylan Sherman, arkansasonline.com, 13 Apr. 2024
At a time when many old norms governing public behavior are being rewritten, there’s something appealing about a brutally honest person who’s willing to call out poor conduct among strangers and friends.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2024
The ban requires local artists to rewrite their music to comply with the restrictions by June 1st, or else they won’t be allowed to perform publicly.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024
The language in the email echoed former President Donald Trump, who has worked to rewrite the history of the effort to disrupt the violent attack on the Capitol as lawmakers prepared to certify President Joe Biden ‘s 2020 victory.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
America is divided over major efforts to rewrite child labor laws
Last month, Jaime James of Minnesota picked up a second job as a bartender on top of her day job in health care.
—Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
According to the lawsuit, when Carlo questioned why the lieutenant hadn’t done more to supervise the training, the lieutenant ordered him to rewrite the unit’s safety guidelines and give a briefing to the whole unit on them.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
At that meeting, Ethics Commission board members appeared hesitant to take a stance on the matter, saying their job isn’t to rewrite the ethics code.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
New Orleans Opera rewrote the ending entirely in an effort to empower the main character, who lives instead of killing herself.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
His stoking of culture wars pleased the GOP base but sometimes fizzled as policy, such as abortive efforts to create a tip line for parents to complain about teachers and principals and a rewrite of state history standards that was widely criticized as racially insensitive and inaccurate.
—Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Spike Jonze was subsequently brought in to direct the film, which was to be a mix of live-action and animation, with David O. Russell helping with rewrites.
—Ej Panaligan, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
With rewrites and Lee’s stunt man acting as Draven – with Lee’s face digitally added to his – producers finished the film.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024
That came about in a drastic rewrite right at the end.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2024
If their comments do not align with the messages intended, a rewrite is in order to achieve success.
—Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2024
That played a huge role in me developing the character and doing my prep, and finding Ana was part of the rewrite process and bringing on two of my friends — one of which is my co-producer’s brother, Justin Matthews, and his writing partner, Luke Spencer Roberts.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024
All of those initiatives would likely get a rewrite under a Republican president.
—Laura Davison, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024
For example, before Christmas, Reddit made some pretty big changes which necessitated a painful rewrite of a few features.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rewrite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Verb
1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing rewrite
Dictionary Entries Near rewrite
Cite this Entry
“Rewrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rewrite. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on rewrite
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rewrite
Nglish: Translation of rewrite for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of rewrite for Arabic Speakers
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