repurpose

verb

re·​pur·​pose (ˌ)rē-ˈpər-pəs How to pronounce repurpose (audio)
repurposed; repurposing; repurposes

transitive verb

: to give a new purpose or use to
repurpose the company's website
repurpose the archived material

Examples of repurpose in a Sentence

finding ways to repurpose old computer equipment
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 film skillfully repurposes its clips and is not above snark. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The edits showed OpenAI‘s agents had repurposed the site into a message board, sharing tactics to cheat on some tasks, bypass OpenAI’s restrictions and mask their behavior. — Reuters, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 That keeps drug repurposing grounded in the same basic challenges facing other areas of biotechnology. — Emma Clapp, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Looking for a new service project, the group landed on the idea of a garden and repurposed three garden boxes previously used at the prison. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repurpose

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repurpose was in 1984

Rhymes for repurpose

See All Rhymes for repurpose

Browse Nearby Words

repurify
repurpose
reputability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Repurpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repurpose. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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