Definition of renewnext
1
2
3
as in to revive
to bring back to life, practice, or activity the spate of recent movies based on classic comic book characters has renewed interest in the comics themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to repeat
to make or do again I can only renew my offer to help—it's up to them to accept it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb renew differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renew are refresh, rejuvenate, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," 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 might refresh be a better fit than renew?

The words refresh and renew can be used in similar contexts, but refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is it sensible to use rejuvenate instead of renew?

In some situations, the words rejuvenate and renew are roughly equivalent. However, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When can renovate be used instead of renew?

The words renovate and renew are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

When is restore a more appropriate choice than renew?

While the synonyms restore and renew are close in meaning, 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 renew By the end of the day’s collective action, locals had renewed hope for a resolution. Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026 It was announced at the premiere that The Pitt was renewed for a third season, as Wyle spoke about his long-term vision for the show. Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026 That’s because January 7 marks the end of a year-long moratorium that had barred insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing residential policies in zip codes in and around the fire zones. Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 The show premiered to instant acclaim, winning five 2025 Emmy Awards, and has already been renewed for a third season. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renew
Verb
  • Power has since been restored, but some services are still limited.
    Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The projects included restoring two bread ovens at a bakery destroyed by Russian warfare, and purchasing a delivery van so that bread could reach more people.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As new products and innovations hit the market and her solo travels continue, she's curated quite the arsenal of safety devices and accessories.
    Stephanie Gray, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Tensions mount in Minneapolis Hundreds of people took to the streets of Minneapolis to protest within hours of Good’s death and demonstrations have continued to swell in the ensuing days.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Barnes & Noble will open four new bookstores in the Chicago area by summertime, including a flagship location downtown on State Street, part of a national move to revive its brick-and-mortar retail presence.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • An effort to set that up stalled in the California legislature last year, but there's a growing pressure to revive something like it.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Welfare advocates, long highly critical of the San Jose animal shelter, are warning of a potential legal fight if the agency fails to improve animal care — accusing the city of neglect, gross negligence and repeating violations of state law.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
  • History suggests that without robust organization, protest cycles repeat fruitlessly—or worse, create openings for intervention or authoritarian alternatives.
    Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Amazon’s home shop is hosting under-the-radar deals on duvet inserts to refresh your bedroom without spending too much.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • A lot of us are excited to refresh our spaces in the new year.
    Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Yankees recently resumed interviewing candidates after pausing over the holidays.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
  • According to the report, Maersk is working out schedule readjustments out with Hapag-Lloyd to resume the Suez transits.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Can some late-career playoff magic resurrect that value?
    Larry Holder, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Afterward, the situation in Iran only got worse, and now Tehran seeks to stanch the bleeding by resurrecting him again.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mpro, an enzyme that allows SARS-CoV-2 to replicate in host cells, holds structural similarities.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Such observations can be replicated in the lab.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renew. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on renew

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!