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
Choosing the right production line from the outset is far more cost-effective than retrofitting to meet sudden increases in order volume.
—
Ken Bowles, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Here, too, our development and manufacturing capabilities enable the introduction of sustainable electrical systems that are also suitable for retrofitting.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Construction would involve building new crossings and retrofitting existing structures like culverts to allow animals to pass more easily, as well as extensive fencing — about 18 miles, according to Jang — on either side of the road to guide wildlife toward the crossings.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Ken Bowles, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Here, too, our development and manufacturing capabilities enable the introduction of sustainable electrical systems that are also suitable for retrofitting.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Construction would involve building new crossings and retrofitting existing structures like culverts to allow animals to pass more easily, as well as extensive fencing — about 18 miles, according to Jang — on either side of the road to guide wildlife toward the crossings.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrofitting
Verb
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The Bluejays are in a rebuilding cycle now, 12-9, including 6-4 in the Big East, coming off a 24-point loss to Marquette, which suggests the old hostile environment fears should be less relevant.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
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Thursday, February 6 City and state officials open a resource center at Friends Hospital, where businesses affected by the crash can learn about replacing their documents, get help with insurance and begin rebuilding.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The cost of launching satellites to space is coming down just as the costs of building and operating AI data centers on earth are rising.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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In addition, Walden has been Disney’s single-most instrumental player in building out the Disney+ and Hulu streaming services, and the units under her command provide a significant portion of the content that fuels the platforms.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrofitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrofitting. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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