rebuild

Definition of rebuildnext

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 Originally built in 1732, this classic Connecticut saltbox colonial was dismantled, preserved and rebuilt in its current location. Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 In 1997, the Moersch family purchased and relocated an Amish round barn from the cornfields of Indiana and rebuilt the structure, which eventually was unveiled as Round Barn Winery. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Her performance was the latest example of her sophomore surge, as Malonga is spearheading a Storm rebuild alongside 2026 first-round picks Johnson and Awa Fam. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 Public estimates suggest rebuilding several key inventories could take years. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebuild
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • Ray was entering year three of a five-year, $115 million deal and still recovering from elbow surgeries to repair his flexor tendon and reconstruct his UCL.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Both labs could reconstruct these timelines because actions were recorded.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Since June, the group has rescued and rehabilitated more than 300 at-risk animals across the five boroughs in partnership with the NYPD.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In its release, the Illinois high court noted Evans’ work establishing the county’s restorative justice courts, which handle some low-level cases outside the traditional courtroom in the hopes of rehabilitating defendants.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The non-lethal technique, known as aversive conditioning, is designed to restore bears’ natural wariness of humans and populated areas.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Order is restored to the kingdom through what is known as the Rumpelstiltskin effect, a term used by psychologists to describe the naming of something in order to create an illusion of understanding it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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