as in rebuilding
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 retrofitting
For legacy cruise brands, the name of the game is retrofitting older ships.
—
Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Most of those projects are retrofitting existing buildings.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Similarly, leading technical authority Glen Morris highlighted the X1’s ACcoupled configuration as an optimal and hasslefree solution for retrofitting existing solar systems, reinforcing the product’s technical strength and suitability for the Australian market.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
The tone in the thread fluctuated between sarcasm, support, and detailed technical advice as others jumped in to discuss the challenge of retrofitting a system like underfloor heating into an older structure.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
From Nairobi to São Paulo, local leaders are installing early warning systems, greening streets to cool neighborhoods, and retrofitting homes to withstand heat and floods.
—Anacláudia Rossbach, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
The new agreement involves retrofitting 5,000 package cars with air conditioning by June 2027.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Branislav Dimitrijevic, an engineering professor of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, said retrofitting trains to prevent roof access would be expensive.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
The researchers tested their idea in Kansas City, Missouri, retrofitting 23 streetlights to serve as chargers.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Most of those projects are retrofitting existing buildings.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Similarly, leading technical authority Glen Morris highlighted the X1’s ACcoupled configuration as an optimal and hasslefree solution for retrofitting existing solar systems, reinforcing the product’s technical strength and suitability for the Australian market.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
The tone in the thread fluctuated between sarcasm, support, and detailed technical advice as others jumped in to discuss the challenge of retrofitting a system like underfloor heating into an older structure.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
From Nairobi to São Paulo, local leaders are installing early warning systems, greening streets to cool neighborhoods, and retrofitting homes to withstand heat and floods.
—Anacláudia Rossbach, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
The new agreement involves retrofitting 5,000 package cars with air conditioning by June 2027.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Branislav Dimitrijevic, an engineering professor of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, said retrofitting trains to prevent roof access would be expensive.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
The researchers tested their idea in Kansas City, Missouri, retrofitting 23 streetlights to serve as chargers.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrofitting
Verb
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Netanyahu is reportedly considering another round of strikes on Iran over concerns Tehran is rebuilding its nuclear sites.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
13 Jan. 2026
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The rebuilding Cardinals are also fielding interest in Donovan from the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners, though, and at Saturday’s Fenway Fest, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow sounded wary of making another trade.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So when winter arrived once again, bringing with it the heavy snowfall Minnesota is known for, the idea of building an igloo naturally came up.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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The bill now sits in the Senate, where pressure is building for a bipartisan compromise.—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrofitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrofitting. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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