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

• renegotiable adjective
• renegotiation noun

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

The sale of CBS parent Paramount to Skydance Media triggered a change-of-ownership clause allowing the NFL to renegotiate its $2.1 billion annual agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

To do that, they must renegotiate another war risk premium.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

O’Connell expects they will seek to renegotiate them.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Choi isn’t the only person in food who has had to renegotiate his plate.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

John Valentine wanted to take advantage of the big harvest to renegotiate their loan.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead