rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild How to pronounce rebuild (audio)
rebuilt (ˌ)rē-ˈbilt How to pronounce rebuild (audio) ; rebuilding
Synonyms of rebuildnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to make extensive repairs to : reconstruct
rebuild a war-torn city
b
: to restore to a previous state
rebuild inventories
2
: to make extensive changes in : remodel
rebuild society

intransitive verb

: to build again
planned to rebuild after the fire
Choose the Right Synonym for rebuild

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of rebuild in a Sentence

He rebuilt his house after it was destroyed by a fire. They tried to rebuild after the earthquake. The new owner plans to rebuild the franchise. The team is rebuilding after losing most of its top players.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Paris installation is only a small part of the project, however, since the glass factory is being rebuilt in spaces including Red Clay Studio in Tamale and a British-era colonial building. — Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 To cement itself as a state title contender among teams like Argyle and South Oak Cliff, Timberview will need to rebuild some of that early season momentum. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026 Such designs can help militaries integrate new equipment without rebuilding their entire communications infrastructure around a single platform. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 Other fields are planted with winter cover crops to protect and rebuild the soil. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebuild

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebuild was in 1537

Rhymes for rebuild

See All Rhymes for rebuild

Browse Nearby Words

rebuff
rebuild
rebuilder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuild. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rebuild

verb
re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild How to pronounce rebuild (audio)
rebuilt -ˈbilt How to pronounce rebuild (audio) ; rebuilding
1
: to make important repairs to or changes in
rebuild an old house
2
: to build again
planned to rebuild after the fire

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rebuild

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