Definition of renewnext
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2
3
as in to revive
to bring back to life, practice, or activity the spate of recent movies based on classic comic book characters has renewed interest in the comics themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to repeat
to make or do again I can only renew my offer to help—it's up to them to accept it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb renew differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renew are refresh, rejuvenate, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," 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 might refresh be a better fit than renew?

The words refresh and renew can be used in similar contexts, but refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is it sensible to use rejuvenate instead of renew?

In some situations, the words rejuvenate and renew are roughly equivalent. However, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When can renovate be used instead of renew?

The words renovate and renew are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

When is restore a more appropriate choice than renew?

While the synonyms restore and renew are close in meaning, 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 renew Ulysses purchased the building, spent $90,000 per unit on renovations, and renewed the income restrictions for an additional 60 years. Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026 Stuart Fails To Save The Universe has been renewed for a second season. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 The bridge program expires at the end of 2027 unless renewed. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 The recent death of actor James Van Der Beek at 48 has renewed attention on a question many younger adults are asking their doctors. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renew
Verb
  • Preparations are underway to replace the foundation of this streetlight so wiring repairs can be made to restore lighting.
    Elle McLogan, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Vestige currently has 25 properties in Spain in various states of being restored.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The ministry also said that its forces overnight continued to strike Ukrainian ports and vessels delivering cargo for the armed forces.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The investigation continues to produce few public leads despite intensive efforts to find her.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Now, Trump claims to have used the threat to revive the Keystone XL pipeline.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Researcher Lynn Wong is eager to revive the festival in Singapore through an initiative called Qixi Fest, a multiday event launched in 2023.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But Roy’s story of Annie (Arjun Raina), a New Delhi architecture student caught in a vicious cycle of failing and repeating his studies, gradually reveals itself as a sharp and poignant portrayal of youth, deftly poised between hope and cynicism.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The reasons customers hesitate, why deals stall, or what causes operational issues to repeat themselves are often revealed in conversation, not in structured fields.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ever since Bob Dylan cut Nashville Skyline in 1969, rockers have been going to Music City to refresh their sounds, kick it with the world’s best session pros, and drink deep the rejuvenating well of local realness.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Look for solutions that integrate seamlessly into your existing claims systems, provide frequently refreshed and validated property data, and support the workflows your adjusters already rely on.
    David Tobias, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Against that backdrop, Ibarra and thousands of other ranchers in the northern state of Sonora are preparing to resume live cattle exports.
    Fabiola Sánchez, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Gary Community School Corporation also announced on Sunday that school will resume Monday and will be operating on a two-hour delay for students.
    Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The two soon stumble back into the cult that created the plague doctor — a cult in which people are killed and resurrected, taken apart and rebuilt.
    S.M. Hallow, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Developer Shawn Kennedy of Kennedy Properties & Development, in partnership with Tim Sittema of Crosland Southeast, want to resurrect the Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road, which was once an iconic social and cultural hub for Black residents.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Arkansas is among many Southern states that hope to replicate the success of Mississippi in pulling up reading scores.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Remark’s goal is to replicate the intuition and memory of a human advisor, creating a cohesive experience where the digital rack is always being assembled for the shopper.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renew. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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