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 Since August, the company has bought Bitcoin on six separate occasions, renewing its aggressive buying streak. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 Adam Ciongoli, the former Campbell Soup executive who joined Fox as chief legal and policy officer in 2023, is not renewing his contract and will step down December 1. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026 Stewart last renewed his contract just a few months after Comedy Central parent company Paramount was acquired by Skydance Media. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 Two weeks before October 7, Mossad director David Barnea traveled to Doha and asked Qatar to renew the funding, the New York Times reported in 2023. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renew

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renew

Verb

Full service was being restored at the end of last week, but Zelenskyy said Monday that the restrictions are still slowing Ukraine's drones along the front.

— SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Since then, Netanyahu has been criticized by opponents for failing to deliver on his promise of restoring regional security.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of restore

Verb

The defense has exceeded expectations and continues to cement itself as a top-20, maybe even a top-15 defense, while the offense remains a disappointment, even after beating the Bears (4-2, 2-1).

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
This month Regal cinemas are re-running James Bond classics as the wait for a new 007 actor continues.

— Luka Ladan, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of continue

Verb

Ethiopia and Eritrea revive old tensions and grievances Ethiopian authorities accuse the TPLF of seeking an alliance with Eritrea to destabilize Ethiopia, potentially bringing together enemies from the previous war.

— KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
As hopes to revive it fizzled, enthusiasm to turn the corridor into a long-distance trail climbed.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of revive

Verb

Zelensky also repeated that the Ukrainian military’s access to the Starlink system to guide its short-range and battlefield drones was still curtailed.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Simply wager $5 today to earn one $50 bonus bet token, and then repeat that process for five days to earn five tokens, totaling $250 in bonuses.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of repeat

Verb

Google’s November 13, 2025 holiday shopping update began rolling out agentic checkout and emphasized the scale of its Shopping Graph, with more than 50 billion product listings and 2 billion refreshed every hour.

— Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
What could be next Secondhand clothing and inexpensive accessories offer plenty of ways to refresh a wardrobe without starting over.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of refresh

Verb

Jayendu Krishna, a director at Drewry Maritime Advisors, said none of the major container shipping lines had resumed services through Hormuz since suspending operations following the outbreak of the war in February.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Zelenskyyâ€™s decision to resume strikes on Russian refineries may further strain ties.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of resume

Verb

Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic beverage dating to the early 1900s, has been resurrected by two longtime spirits industry veterans who stumbled upon its unusual history during a family outing.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Among the moments resurrected for the movie was a monologue in which Hansen explained his pitch for the show to a fan on an airplane.

— Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of resurrect

Verb

Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a robotic arm that replicates aspects of human touch perception.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Others could imitate but never replicate; their coolness was predicated on their originality.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of replicate

Cite this Entry

Style

“Renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renew. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of renew

verb

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