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 The families who rebuilt after loss. Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 Beloved Arizona breakfast restaurant reopens after fire A popular metro Phoenix breakfast restaurant has reopened after nearly 18 months rebuilding from a fire. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 5 Feb. 2026 The name came from a focus on rebuilding the men in their communities by sharing resources and looking out for one another. Kamal Morgan february 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026 Trust, once lost, is hard to rebuild. Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebuild
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • The Texas Department of Transportation permanently closed two exits over the weekend along Interstate 35 near downtown Austin as crews prepare to reconstruct the Lady Bird Lake bridge.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Now, to check whether this method was trustworthy, the scientists asked the model to reconstruct past solar cycles.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The tunnel project, the nation's largest infrastructure project, would expand train service between New York and New Jersey along the nation’s busiest rail corridor by adding a new rail tunnel and rehabilitating the existing 115-year-old pair of tunnels under the Hudson River.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Now, the zombies are being rehabilitated and reintroduced into the general public, including teenager Kieren Walker (Luke Newberry), who isn't exactly welcomed home with open arms.
    Sammi Burke, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • On this occasion, his team only threatened to restore parity once, Henderson blocking Kostoulas’s shot after he was put through by Georginio Rutter.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Administration public health officials often cite the need to restore trust in public health systems after the coronavirus pandemic, when vaccine policy and the general public health response to the deadly pandemic became a highly polarizing topic in American politics.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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