refresh

Definition of refreshnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb refresh differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refresh are rejuvenate, renew, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When would rejuvenate be a good substitute for refresh?

The words rejuvenate and refresh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Where would renew be a reasonable alternative to refresh?

Although the words renew and refresh have much in common, renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

When can renovate be used instead of refresh?

The meanings of renovate and refresh largely overlap; however, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

In what contexts can restore take the place of refresh?

The words restore and refresh can be used in similar contexts, but restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

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 refresh Every time those records refresh, your profile can quietly reappear. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 With deals as high as 80 percent off, now’s a great time to refresh your home while saving nearly $1,000. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 In mid-June, the brand will launch L’Eau de Soin, like a dry shampoo in mist form to refresh scalps. Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 May 2026 Hype is high and vibes are refreshed. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for refresh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refresh
Verb
  • Clear agreements made today can strengthen trust, restore balance, and create momentum where things had felt stalled.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Blackwood made the initial stop, but Faber was there at the edge of the crease and the puck went off the Minnesota defenseman’s body and into the net to restore the three-goal advantage.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The question of what to eat before dessert is not, usually, top of my mind.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
  • The larva will hatch and eat the paralyzed cicada.
    Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Because this decision has revived the debate within the Democratic Party about potentially adding more seats to the Supreme Court.
    NBC news, NBC news, 10 May 2026
  • Tom Bradley, who was elected mayor of Los Angeles in the nineteen-seventies and went on to serve five terms, made reviving the streetcar (and a subway to the sea) a cornerstone of his platform.
    Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • The defender found Kai Havertz who fed Odegaard the ball again, spreading play wide to Madueke.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 May 2026
  • The residents sheltering in place during the pandemic hit more deer, left more trash that fed more rats, all of which sustained a bigger pack of coyotes over the past year.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Here is some of the latest in dining news from across San Diego County, as well as some upcoming events for foodies.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
  • Afterward, guests dined in the State Dining Room and danced in the East Room.
    Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Last year didn’t go so well, but Knicks fans will have renewed hope with the way the team has been playing.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • At the end of 2023, Sacramento County declined to renew Aviator’s lease after 24 years, instead offering a month-to-month agreement while accepting bids for the space.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Refresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refresh. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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