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
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
Researchers, meanwhile, have studied the feasibility of retrofitting certain mid-range jets (like the Boeing 737-800, Airbus A320, ATR 72, and Embraer 190) with windowless designs and have reported some promising results.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
To buy time, Scripps seems to be relying on safety in numbers, understanding that, while major investments have been made in building new or retrofitting existing California hospitals in recent decades, there are still plenty that will not be fully compliant by the deadline.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
In some states, programs such as California’s Wildfire Prepared Home program offer retrofitting rebates for wildfire protection.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
That would include applying protective stone along vulnerable shorelines, retrofitting plumbing and electrical throughout the town and raising the system of one-lane roads for transportation.
—Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
With 100,000 large vessels in operation globally, retrofitting is a huge opportunity.
—Michaila Byrne, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Researchers, meanwhile, have studied the feasibility of retrofitting certain mid-range jets (like the Boeing 737-800, Airbus A320, ATR 72, and Embraer 190) with windowless designs and have reported some promising results.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
To buy time, Scripps seems to be relying on safety in numbers, understanding that, while major investments have been made in building new or retrofitting existing California hospitals in recent decades, there are still plenty that will not be fully compliant by the deadline.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
In some states, programs such as California’s Wildfire Prepared Home program offer retrofitting rebates for wildfire protection.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
That would include applying protective stone along vulnerable shorelines, retrofitting plumbing and electrical throughout the town and raising the system of one-lane roads for transportation.
—Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
With 100,000 large vessels in operation globally, retrofitting is a huge opportunity.
—Michaila Byrne, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrofitting
Verb
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Their 3-2 defeat of Burnley on Saturday secured back-to-back Premier League victories at home for the first time this calendar year — a small but significant step in rebuilding the connection between team and supporters.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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In Houston, homeowners in minority communities damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 were the least likely to receive loans and federal grants for rebuilding.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The initiative is structured around three sequential and mutually reinforcing workstreams that aim to accelerate lowering emissions, boosting efficiency and building long-term resilience.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
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Institutional integration On top of building out its own services, Ripple also aims to sign deals to lend its XRP Ledger technology to larger institutions' crypto pushes, according to Garlinghouse.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retrofitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrofitting. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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