RENEW Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

renew

verb

ri-ˈnü

Definition of renew

as in to restore

to bring back to a former condition or vigor the trip to New York renewed our enthusiasm for travel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to continue

to begin again or return to after an interruption with daybreak, the rescue team will renew its efforts to reach the stranded mountain climbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Woodland residents opposed to Flock renewed their calls for the contract’s cancellation last month. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Any decrease in ratings this season would undermine the luster of NFL games at a time when the league is already holding preliminary discussions with Paramount about the possibility of renewing the company’s current rights deal. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 Netflix announced that Beauty in Black was renewed for a fourth season on July 23, 2026. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 For Hartbeat, the news comes soon after Hulu renewed its stand-up specials, LOL Live, and Netflix ordered a second season of Funny AF with Kevin Hart. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renew

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renew

Verb

The advocacy group has proposed legislation aimed at restoring competition in digital advertising.

— Jody Godoy, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Nowadays, the gardens designed for King George IV are being restored, a green lung for the city.

— Lauren Frayer, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of restore

Verb

Porter has staked his claim as the starter opposite Stokes, though rookies McCoy and Masses should continue to challenge him for that role throughout the season.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Momentum continued into the first half of 2026, with a double-digit rise in sales, the company said.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of continue

Verb

And when Ohtani, Judge and Tarik Skubal repeated their accomplishments in 2025 as NL MVP, AL MVP and AL Cy Young winner, something had to be done to commemorate that, too, so the dual Gold Logoman patch cards were created.

— Larry Holder, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Most of the time, people come with their pre-existing views and biases, repeat them out loud, close their minds to alternative perspectives, and go home even more sure of their ways.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of repeat

Verb

Credit line reviews typically follow monthly or quarterly cycles; attrition models are refreshed periodically and applied in batch.

— Julie Conroy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Some viewers had to refresh the page after receiving error messages, indicating high usage levels.

— Jenni Reid,Alex Buckmaster, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of refresh

Verb

Rourke, in fact, could resume practicing this week, coach Kyle Shanahan said.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Iceland voted against resuming talks to join the European Union, officials announced Sunday, as concerns over sovereignty trumped arguments for European integration.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of resume

Verb

And the iconic Excelsior Club in west Charlotte was torn down in July, though that is set to be resurrected.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
The Botanico name was resurrected in Midtown by the team behind the former Buckhead restaurant of the same name, and the all-pink High Noon Brunchery made a big move from Douglasville to a prominent location on Peachtree Road.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of resurrect

Cite this Entry

Style

“Renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renew. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of renew

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