Definition of renewnext
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as in to revive
to bring back to life, practice, or activity the spate of recent movies based on classic comic book characters has renewed interest in the comics themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to repeat
to make or do again I can only renew my offer to help—it's up to them to accept it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb renew differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renew are refresh, rejuvenate, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

When might refresh be a better fit than renew?

The words refresh and renew can be used in similar contexts, but refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is it sensible to use rejuvenate instead of renew?

In some situations, the words rejuvenate and renew are roughly equivalent. However, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When can renovate be used instead of renew?

The words renovate and renew are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

When is restore a more appropriate choice than renew?

While the synonyms restore and renew are close in meaning, restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of renew The wrestlers were either cut outright or their contracts were not renewed by WWE. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026 Though the provision was originally passed in 2008, lawmakers must renew it every few years. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026 Washington isn’t renewing a sanctions waiver allowing countries to purchase Iranian oil that’s already at sea. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 Apr. 2026 If the hospital doesn’t renew his lease, the work will be for nothing. Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renew
Verb
  • As the Moon moves through your 6th House of Daily Routine, small systems restore energy and reduce friction.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
  • But will the changes be enough to restore the competitive integrity of the game once and for all?
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When the Dodgers public address announcer read the Cubs starting lineup, Dodgers fans vehemently booed Crow-Armstrong, a trend that continued before each at-bat and again Saturday when he was announced pregame.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Trump told Americans on Thursday to expect higher prices as the war continues.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • More recently, a growing domestic gas shortage — exacerbated by the halt in new drilling and worsened by the Iran war — has revived demand for Colombia’s own coal.
    Fabiano Maisonnave, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • While the attack on the press is underway, the authorities are also reviving old symbols of political repression.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Scammers can repeat this process hundreds of times a day, building detailed profiles with very little effort.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
  • In 17 minutes, the notification was repeated a total of five times.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If portions of the page appear blank and an ad blocker is enabled, please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page to ensure full access to the content.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • And the first refreshed Khy collection is almost a ‘greatest hits’ of Jenner’s renowned style.
    Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Each puzzle was paired with a specific sound, which was supposed to prompt them to resume work on the associated puzzle.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • While a settlement appeared close with negotiations to resume Wednesday afternoon, the dispute has taken a toll.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But if the Russian government is resurrecting the ghosts of the Soviet past – and making life for ordinary Russians a whole lot more inconvenient – Putin himself is showing public indifference.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The Chinese Communist Party is resurrecting one of its favorite complaints against the Japanese government, decrying officials’ routine visit to a shrine honoring dead soldiers of World War II.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This provided a comfort blanket and a lead that Chelsea and Liverpool, unable to shift the glare of scrutiny away from themselves, couldn’t replicate.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Ahead of taking on the task of replicating Michael's legendary voice and performing skills, Jaafar practiced for hours on end to sing as Michael.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renew. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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