renovate

verb

ˈre-nə-ˌvāt How to pronounce renovate (audio)
Definition of renovatenext
as in to repair
to put into good shape or working order again will have to renovate the house extensively before we can move in

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb renovate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renovate are refresh, rejuvenate, renew, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

When is it sensible to use refresh instead of renovate?

While the synonyms refresh and renovate are close in meaning, refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is rejuvenate a more appropriate choice than renovate?

While in some cases nearly identical to renovate, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When would renew be a good substitute for renovate?

The words renew and renovate can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Where would restore be a reasonable alternative to renovate?

Although the words restore and renovate have much in common, 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 renovate Right now, Mana is renovating several buildings along the corridor. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Decades before Judd arrived, Giant filmed in Marfa in 1955, and James Dean stayed at the Hotel Paisano, which is currently getting renovated. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 The song was recorded at Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles, the historic studio lot Mayer bought and renovated with director/producer McG a year ago. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026 The late actress’s apartment at 200 Central Park South has been joined with the unit next door and renovated into a five-bedroom spread spanning roughly 5,500 square feet. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renovate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renovate
  1. repair
  2. rebuild
  3. reconstruct
  4. fix
Verb
  • The foods were moved to the walk-in cooler and a work order placed to repair the refrigerator.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Nothing would lure them back to repair the fracture; not a 1998 tribute record, nor a £2 million reunion offer.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of repair
Verb
  • The McCoys’ attorney said the house will need to be razed and completely rebuilt.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a fun season, the Chicago White Sox rebuild isn’t complete.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebuild
Verb
  • If your team can’t reconstruct what the agent saw and did in March, the auditor can’t either.
    — Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • From these fragments of intelligence, scientists reconstructed journeys that took place largely beyond their view.
    — Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reconstruct
Verb
  • The reality is that organizing alone can’t fix a system stacked against us.
    — Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Gass said the company acted fast to fix this by putting more inventory behind popular trends such as low-rise jeans, stepping up marketing to boost customer traffic and improving store and digital checkout rates.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of fix

Browse Nearby Words

renouncing
renovate
renovated
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Cite this Entry

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

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