renegotiate

American  

[ree-ni-goh-shee-eyt] / ˌri nɪˈgoʊ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

renegotiated, renegotiating

1. to negotiate again, as a loan, treaty, etc.

2. to reexamine (a government contract) with a view to eliminating or modifying those provisions found to represent excessive profits to the contractor.

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verb (used without object)

renegotiated, renegotiating

1. to negotiate anew.

2. to reexamine the costs and profits involved in a government contract for adjustment purposes.

renegotiate British  

/ ˌriːnɪˈɡəʊʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to negotiate again in order to alter or change previously agreed terms

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• renegotiation
  noun
• renegotiable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of renegotiate

First recorded in 1930–35; re- + negotiate

Explanation

To renegotiate is to go back to a previously settled agreement and discuss the details all over again. If you have to renegotiate the terms of your dog walking job, it may feel like you're starting from scratch. To negotiate is to bargain, confer, or compromise until you reach a deal with another person or group. When you renegotiate, you do it again. After you move into a new apartment and realize there's a loud music store downstairs, you might try to renegotiate your lease, asking your landlord to reduce your rent. And countries frequently renegotiate treaties, returning to haggle over details, making sure they benefit from the agreement.

Example Sentences

Canada has formally requested a renewal of the North American free trade agreement with the US and Mexico, called the USMCA, as the July deadline to renegotiate the pact looms.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

They might also decide to walk away, or to renegotiate their contracts with Verra with better terms, he said.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

However, Barcelona are apparently unwilling to execute the transfer and are trying to renegotiate, potentially to sign Rashford next season on another loan deal.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated the company a supply-chain risk after attempts to renegotiate its contract with Anthropic fell apart.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

There was no way, however, that Snuffy Ledoux wanted to renegotiate that contract.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols