rebuild

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuild contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuild are mend, patch, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When would mend be a good substitute for rebuild?

The synonyms mend and rebuild are sometimes interchangeable, but mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

Where would patch be a reasonable alternative to rebuild?

The meanings of patch and rebuild largely overlap; however, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

When could repair be used to replace rebuild?

In some situations, the words repair and rebuild are roughly equivalent. However, repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

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 rebuild Kamilla loses her whole puzzle and tries to rebuild when Joe comes back from behind and sneaks to his mat just seconds before Kamilla. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 May 2025 This is your cue to rebuild healthier structures around boundaries, rest, and repair. Colin Bedell, Them., 8 May 2025 Community meeting documents show McLean Middle is slated for renovation, while J.P. Elder is slated to be rebuilt. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025 With Sheinbaum still attacking the DEA as a symbol of American interventionism, all four of those competing agencies may have an easier time rebuilding trust with the Mexican government. Tim Golden, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuild
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • According to Renner, as part of his recovery, doctors had to reconstruct his chest and one of his legs using titanium.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
  • Miller’s inability to recall the day’s events inspired Mendoza to reconstruct them meticulously.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Our investigation found that a large number of the private agencies deliberately kept the children in their care and out of the adoption market, making little or no effort to rehabilitate their parents.
    Stewart Ain, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
  • State officials say this is the fourth young cub in the past five years that’s been brought in to be rehabilitated.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Two years ago, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass laid out an ambitious and expensive goal for her first city budget: restore the size of the Los Angeles Police Department to 9,500 officers.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
  • Click Open System Restore and follow the prompts to restore your system to an earlier state.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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