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Synonyms

rethink

American  
[ree-thingk, ree-thingk] / riˈθɪŋk, ˈriˌθɪŋk /

verb (used with or without object)

rethought, rethinking

  1. to reconsider, especially profoundly.

noun

  1. the act of reconsidering.

rethink British  

verb

  1. to think about (something) again, esp with a view to changing one's tactics or opinions

"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

noun

  1. the act or an instance of thinking again

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of rethink

First recorded in 1690–1700; re- + think 1

Explanation

When you rethink, you consider something again, often reaching the opposite conclusion. You'll rethink your decision to go bungee jumping as soon as you're standing at the top of a tall bridge getting ready to jump. You'll have to rethink your usual two A.M. bedtime after you get a new job making donuts at five every morning. A kindergarten teacher might also need to rethink his laid-back teaching style when he's faced with an especially high-energy class. You can also use rethink as a noun: "I need to have a quick rethink about what I'll have for lunch, since the cafeteria is out of French fries."

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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.

EastEnders' writers sought advice from mental health charities Samaritans, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Rethink co-founder Nathan Atkinson said he had found some teachers and support staff were "bringing in food from their own cupboards and they were buying food out of their own wallets".

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

But now, as we drift into summer cookout season, maybe there’s something to Tucci’s suggestion: Rethink the barbecue.

From Salon • May 27, 2025

Mental health charities Mind and Rethink recommend trying to do something relaxing before going to sleep such as breathing exercises, reading a book or having a bath, rather than trying to force yourself to sleep.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the mental health charity Rethink have now said they want to see the rollout of the technology paused.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2025

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.