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 The town of Jackson is rebuilding three months after the attack, but Ellie is still out for justice. EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025 The scale of Trump's triumph has sparked widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 Lucas County officials have announced plans to form a task force to examine and rebuild trust in local child welfare systems. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 As in much of the rest of Syria, there are only a few hours of electricity, no emergency services and no money to rebuild infrastructure. Jane Arraf, NPR, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuild
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • The New York Times reconstructed how the Trump administration and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador struck a deal that led to the deportation of more than 200 Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran prison.
    The New York Times, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Supply chains built over decades are being torn apart and reconstructed at great cost.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Other West Coast marine mammal stranding facilities -- which rescue and rehabilitate marine animals -- have reported seeing the same.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Loading your audio article SAN JOSE — Sharks captain Logan Couture did everything in his power to become a full-time NHL player again, spending countless hours rehabilitating his bothersome groin injury and visiting several specialists on the East and West Coasts to find a solution.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Today's announcement is a welcome step toward restoring a common-sense safety standard.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration has demanded Columbia make widespread changes to its disciplinary policies and admissions before the funding is restored.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

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