as in restoring
to bring back to a former condition or vigor
cool glasses of lemonade freshened us after a day of hard work outside
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Recent Examples of freshening
The company says the new fiber-detergent tiles feature a half-dozen layers of concentrated cleaning ingredients that activate in cold water to battle stains and odors while also freshening and brightening fabrics—all in one product.
—
Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2026
Health aside, an air purifier can also make your space smell better by eliminating cooking smells and freshening the air, all while subtly boosting your design scheme, like the sleek and powerful Coway Airmega that’s our top overall pick.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
And because upholstered furniture is tricky to toss in the wash, a low-effort, budget-friendly solution like baking soda can be a game-changer for freshening things up between deep cleans.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
After freshening it up for its journey across the world, the video cuts to a phone call with Blue's lawyer, who reveals the good news that her ban from the country has been lifted.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Created by Hank Green and Bernie Su and starring Ashley Clements as Lizzie Bennet, this series adaptation stays true to the original while freshening the storylines and reimagining some of the relationships.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
After all, gum is the ultimate multitasker – freshening breath, calming nerves and even sharpening focus.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2026
Health aside, an air purifier can also make your space smell better by eliminating cooking smells and freshening the air, all while subtly boosting your design scheme, like the sleek and powerful Coway Airmega that’s our top overall pick.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
And because upholstered furniture is tricky to toss in the wash, a low-effort, budget-friendly solution like baking soda can be a game-changer for freshening things up between deep cleans.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
After freshening it up for its journey across the world, the video cuts to a phone call with Blue's lawyer, who reveals the good news that her ban from the country has been lifted.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Created by Hank Green and Bernie Su and starring Ashley Clements as Lizzie Bennet, this series adaptation stays true to the original while freshening the storylines and reimagining some of the relationships.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
After all, gum is the ultimate multitasker – freshening breath, calming nerves and even sharpening focus.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshening
Verb
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The agreements under discussion are expected to focus on stabilizing existing production rather than rapidly expanding it, with an emphasis on rehabilitating fields, improving refining capacity and restoring the country’s fragile power grid — a critical constraint on energy operations.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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In addition to his support of local economic development, his priorities are public safety, decreasing homelessness and restoring a sense of community to Linda, according to his campaign website.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But with a sequel to dissect and an audience primed for this kind of analysis, the larger conversation around villainy is worth reviving.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
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But Anne Hathaway reviving an actual movie costume from 2006?—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This short-term focus has contributed to little evolution within Villa’s strongest XI, and there is a growing case that his squad needs refreshing in the summer.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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McDonald's is refreshing its drink menu.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Vanity Fair spoke with the costume designer for the movie, Marci Rodgers, who had the heavy task of recreating Jackson’s world through fashion.—
Kia D. Goosby,
Vanity Fair,
25 Apr. 2026
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Fuqua even shot an entire action sequence recreating the infamous 1993 raid on Neverland Ranch, which culminated in police officers strip-searching Jackson and examining his genitals to compare them with Chandler’s description.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Circularity in fashion also has to do with renewing and reusing what already exists.—
Catherine Salfino,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Former Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, who helped create the Amber Alert in Arlington 30 years ago, has proposed renewing efforts to reserve it for only the most serious cases.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The city is renovating the Hudson Campbell Sports and Fitness Center to make room for the Gary Health Department.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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After closing, the couple planned to make a few small tweaks, but ended up gut-renovating it over four years, the Wall Street Journal reports.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Freshening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshening. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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