Synonyms

renew

American

[ri-noo, -nyoo] / rɪˈnu, -ˈnju /

verb (used with object)

to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
to make effective for an additional period.

to renew a lease.
to restore or replenish.

to renew a stock of goods.

Synonyms:

restock
to make, say, or do again.
to revive; reestablish.
to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.

Synonyms:

mend, reinstate, regenerate, rejuvenate, re-create

verb (used without object)

to begin again; recommence.
to renew a lease, note, etc.
to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.

renew British

/ rɪˈnjuː /

verb

to take up again
(also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommence

to renew an attempt
to restate or reaffirm (a promise, etc)
(also intr) to make (a lease, licence, or contract) valid or effective for a further period
to extend the period of loan of (a library book)
to regain or recover (vigour, strength, activity, etc)
to restore to a new or fresh condition
to replace (an old or worn-out part or piece)
to replenish (a supply, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

Renew, renovate, repair, restore suggest making something the way it formerly was. To renew means to bring back to an original condition of freshness and vigor: to renew one's enthusiasm. Renovate means to do over or make good any dilapidation of something: to renovate an old house. To repair is to put into good or sound condition; to make good any injury, damage, wear and tear, decay, etc.; to mend: to repair the roof of a house. To restore is to bring back to its former place or position something which has faded, disappeared, been lost, etc., or to reinstate a person in rank or position: to restore a king to his throne.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of renew

First recorded in 1325–75, renew is from the Middle English word renewen. See re-, new

Explanation

If you make something like new, you renew it. When you catch up with an old friend you haven't seen in a long time, you renew your friendship. To renew is to make new again. If you get a new due date for your library books, you've renewed them. If you forget to renew them, your books will be overdue, and you may have to pay a fine. Renew also means to revive, restore, or cause to appear in a new form. Historically, all kinds of tonics have claimed to renew a person's health, but many of the early ones actually contained poisons that could kill you.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

renew renews renewed renewing

The company said it systematically opted not to renew or write business that didn’t meet its expectations on pricing or other conditions, as it focused on profitability and portfolio optimization.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

These cells first develop during embryonic growth, and scientists have generally believed that they remain in the brain and continually renew themselves throughout a person's life.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

Chief Executive David Zaslav opted not to renew the pricey basketball contract as Warner has been straining to pay down debt brought on by its last merger in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Also, circumstances can change, such as what is on offer when you come to renew or shop around for another mortgage after five years.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

"And this is Jojen Reed and his sister Meera, son and daughter to Howland Reed of Greywater Watch, who came to renew their oaths of fealty to Winterfell."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

But it is understood that there was positive progress during initial conversations, amid expectation within the Emirates that it is a case of when, not if, the 44-year-old renews.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

The EU must rebalance its trade relationship with China, the bloc's industry chief said Friday, as Brussels renews its focus on commerce ties with Beijing.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

From a scenic perspective, the new production of “The Adding Machine” from the Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation in Culver City renews the demi-classic with stark beauty.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026

Price and Value: Don’t just look at the monthly price, check what you’re actually paying upfront and what it’ll cost when it renews.

From Salon ● Feb. 11, 2026

Bobby believed deeply in the notion that a play renews itself every day, in rehearsal or performance.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

At the building’s entrance, a massive banner celebrates the plant’s recently renewed federal operating license, proclaiming “You Made This Possible” above a photograph of smiling staffers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Scott currently stars in the sitcom series “Shifting Gears,” which was recently renewed for a third season.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK which is in favour of a change in the law, said he hopes MPs will "look past renewed attempts to derail this long-overdue change".

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

“ETF inflows extended to a fifth consecutive session, lifting total holdings to a six-week high and providing further evidence of renewed investor demand.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

“That housekeeper of yours, Jack Whatever. We’ll get her visa renewed and she’ll continue to look after you. And that way we’ll know where you are if we need you again.”

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Memphis Depay has accused Corinthians of "unacceptable behaviour" and of breaching an agreement after the Brazilian club decided against renewing his contract.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

The San Bruno-based company owned by Google agreed to a $7.5-million settlement in a class action lawsuit that alleged the company violated California’s automatic renewal law when renewing YouTube TV subscriptions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

Doing so keeps the Constitution at the center of our popular democratic culture, renewing our loyalty to the document and our sense of its relevance.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

Oil prices rose Sunday while U.S. stock-index futures advanced, after the U.S. and Iran continued to trade fire in the Persian Gulf, renewing fears that the Strait of Hormuz may effectively be shut again.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 28, 2026

One morning in early summer, a renewing warmth in the air, Obinze arrived at the warehouse and knew right away that something was amiss.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023