REFRESH Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'refresh' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refresh are rejuvenate , renew , renovate , and restore . While all these words mean "to make like new," refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power. // a refreshing drink

Q: When would 'rejuvenate' be a good substitute for 'refresh'?

The words rejuvenate and refresh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance. // the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Q: Where would 'renew' be a reasonable alternative to 'refresh'?

Although the words renew and refresh have much in common, renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new. // efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

Q: When can 'renovate' be used instead of 'refresh'?

The meanings of renovate and refresh largely overlap; however, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding. // the apartment has been entirely renovated

Q: In what contexts can 'restore' take the place of 'refresh'?

The words restore and refresh can be used in similar contexts, but restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss. // restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh

verb

ri-ˈfresh

Definition of refresh

as in to restore

to bring back to a former condition or vigor brought out some iced tea to refresh the spirits of the folks working out in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to eat

to take a meal we were looking for a family-friendly restaurant where we could sit down and refresh before continuing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diet
fast

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb refresh differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refresh are rejuvenate, renew, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When would rejuvenate be a good substitute for refresh?

The words rejuvenate and refresh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Where would renew be a reasonable alternative to refresh?

Although the words renew and refresh have much in common, renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

When can renovate be used instead of refresh?

The meanings of renovate and refresh largely overlap; however, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

In what contexts can restore take the place of refresh?

The words restore and refresh can be used in similar contexts, but restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of refresh As a psychologist who works with teens, Sophia Choukas-Bradley has heard from clients who spend an hour after having posted on social media obsessively refreshing their screens, watching their likes accumulate. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 Best Amazon Home Sales Spring may get all the credit for cleaning and organizing, but the shift back indoors is just as good an excuse to refresh your space. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026 Some viewers had to refresh the page after receiving error messages, indicating high usage levels. — Jenni Reid,alex Buckmaster, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Smells may lose their strength after some time so refresh the repellents as needed. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refresh

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refresh

Verb

The challenge is backed by Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents Louisiana and wants the Food and Drug Administration to restore in-person requirements for the dispensing of mifepristone.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026
Then on Wednesday, Justice Flávio Dino overruled his colleague and restored the two senior police officials to their posts.

— MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of restore

Verb

There are few breaks other than to sleep, eat, hydrate or get his bike fixed.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The people who were gathered at tables around her, eating buffet tacos and sipping cans of Coke Zero, were first- and second-generation Americans getting ready to run for office or to work on political campaigns.

— Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of eat

Verb

Yet as the branch of government closest to the people, Congress holds a unique spot in the system of checks and balances — one that is revived every two years as voters choose their representatives in the midterm elections, including this fall.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
In the weeks ahead, Kavanaugh would work long hours on legislation to help the airline industry survive and create a federal terrorism insurance program later credited with reviving commercial development in New York City and throughout the nation.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of revive

Verb

That in turn feeds ‘The Ticker’, the basic on-screen representation of the score and ‘The Computer’, another programme that turns that raw information into the more intricate graphics that appear on the screen.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Researchers fed that result into the Navier–Stokes effort, with Codex helping consolidate useful ideas between agent groups.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of feed

Verb

Spotify’s deal, which includes naming rights for the Camp Nou, was renewed in October 2025 for a further four seasons.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The move in Treasury yields was driven mostly by the soaring price of energy, which has renewed fears of an inflation crisis.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of renew

Verb

Guests can dine at the upscale brasserie by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and unwind with a facial, massage, or body treatment at Guerlain Spa.

— Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026
Upon its inception, the neighboring Théâtre des Champs-Élysées brought composers, theatergoers, and fashion trailblazers to regularly dine at the property.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of dine

Browse Nearby Words

reframing

refresh

refreshed

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Refresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refresh. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of refresh

verb

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