reinterpret
Britishverb
Other Word Forms
Explanation
If you re-examined the meaning of something and found something new or different, you reinterpreted it. You thought that when Brian said, "I love you," he meant as a friend, but you may want to reinterpret the meaning of those words since he bought you a diamond ring. The verb reinterpret also means to re-explain or interpret from a different point of view. Each year, historians try to reinterpret the primary source material in historical cases. For example, in 1892, Lizzie Borden's father and step-mother were killed with an ax. Lizzie was acquitted. Did she commit the crime? Well, historians examine and reexamine the evidence and interpret it and reinterpret it. Some think she did it and some think she was innocent. We may never know.
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.
"Ants, for example, this year are only available for customers who specifically ask to try them," said Atala, whose Sao Paulo restaurant D.O.M. plucks ingredients from the Amazonian wilderness to reinterpret Indigenous traditions.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
Vance attempted to reinterpret the comment and soften its edges.
From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026
He spoke the language of “affordability” with a relentless rhetorical focus on the issue while offering something more profound to voters: permission to reinterpret disappointment as injustice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 30, 2025
But Disney in recent years has been attempting to reinterpret how a ride system can be used.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2024
He earnestly desired to reinterpret Christianity in the new light of his time, yet perhaps no part of his work is so futile.
From An Outline of the History of Christian Thought Since Kant by Edward Caldwell Moore
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