as in to rebuild
to provide (something) with new parts that were not available when it was originally built
The factory has been retrofitted to meet the new safety regulations. We can retrofit your car with the new fuel system.
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Recent Examples of retrofit
Unlike some of its competitors, Wayve’s hardware is integrated directly into vehicles at the manufacturing stage, rather than being retrofitted afterwards.
—
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
When central air was added later, it was typically retrofitted into existing spaces, so the airflow may not be efficient.
—Kat Tretina, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Hazard mitigation efforts can include adding storm shutters; fortifying a roof to protect against hail, wind or wildfires; and retrofitting a home to better withstand earthquakes, for example, experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 2 June 2026
The waterbike, a bicycle retrofitted with inflatable pontoons and a small propeller, takes five to 10 minutes to learn, requires no swimming or cycling experience and, from the bay, puts Oracle Park and the city skyline into a frame most visitors never find.
—Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retrofit
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
When central air was added later, it was typically retrofitted into existing spaces, so the airflow may not be efficient.
—Kat Tretina, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Hazard mitigation efforts can include adding storm shutters; fortifying a roof to protect against hail, wind or wildfires; and retrofitting a home to better withstand earthquakes, for example, experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 2 June 2026
The waterbike, a bicycle retrofitted with inflatable pontoons and a small propeller, takes five to 10 minutes to learn, requires no swimming or cycling experience and, from the bay, puts Oracle Park and the city skyline into a frame most visitors never find.
—Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retrofit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrofit
Verb
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And now is looking to dump salary and rebuild yet again.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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Recruiting a replacement, retraining from scratch, rebuilding institutional knowledge, and absorbing the productivity gap in between transitions—each cycle erodes the cost advantage that made offshore hiring attractive in the first place.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
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That edit-first habit is the real core of how to build a capsule wardrobe, since what is left reveals the gaps worth filling.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
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Web developers and digital designers These workers build websites and apps, employing both coding and visual design skills.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrofit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrofit. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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