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
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
To meet this demand, airlines are retrofitting planes to add more premium cabin space.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
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
To meet this demand, airlines are retrofitting planes to add more premium cabin space.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrofitting
Verb
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Soros is also an investor in Vice, which has quietly been slightly rebuilding its news output around founder Shane Smith’s podcast.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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With good teams climbing out of holes or sliding into them and rebuilding teams leveling up faster than expected, 2025 feels more up for grabs than any season in recent memory.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The company argues that building reliable AI agents—systems that can reason, act, and use tools on behalf of users—is still far too difficult.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
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Based in Amsterdam and led by Frank Hoeve, Baldr is building a reputation for fostering innovative filmmakers and forging co-productions that bridge documentary and fiction.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retrofitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrofitting. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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