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 Over the past decade, the country has been rebuilding its tourism appeal after years of political turmoil, violence, and the pandemic. Lea Tran, TheWeek, 10 July 2026 Shoppers can also replace individual products within a recommendation without having to rebuild the entire outfit. Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 10 July 2026 Pretoria must stop policing symptoms and start rebuilding institutions. Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 And therefore people are asking themselves basic questions about how to shape or reshape their societies, bodies, families, and how to rebuild communities. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebuild
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • Therefore, leaders must use process mining and intelligence to reconstruct customer journeys in real time.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The study calls for reconstructing those interchanges, which could include adding lanes for vehicles to enter or exit the highway.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • That allowed future audiences to rediscover, reinterpret, and even rehabilitate entire cinematic concepts on their own terms.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
  • Four orphaned bobcats will be rehabilitated at Wildlife Care Center in Saratoga in an effort to return the kittens back to the wild this fall.
    Laura A. Oda, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways said teams were working to repair the damage and restore the route, and that other arrangements are being made to transport passengers to Mashhad via road, IRIB said.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • With the blessing and support of the Forest Service, the tribe began working to restore parts of its homeland — not as a shrubland, or thick conifer forest, but an open and free tapestry anchored by oaks.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster