renew

[ri-noo, -nyoo]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR renew ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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.

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.

Nearby words

Origin of renew

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

SYNONYMS FOR renew

3. restock. 7. re-create, rejuvenate, regenerate, reinstate, mend. 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.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR renew ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·new·a·bly, adverbre·new·ed·ly

[ri-noo-id-lee, -nyoo-] /rɪˈnu ɪd li, -ˈnyu-/, adverbre·new·er, nounqua·si-re·newed, adjective

self-re·new·ing, adjectiveun·re·newed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for renew

After Ferguson, we all must renew our efforts to eliminate the scourge of racism from American life.
What We Need Are Anti-Racists|Gene Robinson|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet when the ceasefire ended, and Israel offered to renew, Hamas started the war again.
The Gaza Paradox: Hamas Has Little Support, but the War Has a Lot|Jesse Rosenfeld|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As is the norm, NBC has yet to renew or cancel the cult show Community at the end of the season.
‘Community’ Season Finale: Greendale Stares into the Abyss, Again|Chancellor Agard|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the six-film contract expired, neither party was inclined to renew.
The Stacks: The Inimitable Albert Brooks Caught at the Dawn of His Movie Career|Paul Slansky|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly has been unable to issue or renew passports.
Can Thailand’s Prime Minister Cling To Power?|Lennox Samuels|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This funeral dance a widow was apparently expected to renew in public at every festival for months after the death.
The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead|James George Frazer
The Dervishes remained for two days in the palm grove, and their leader repeatedly endeavoured to induce them to renew the attack.
The River War|Winston S. Churchill
Early in the session the government requested the house to renew the act for the suspension of Habeas Corpus: it was granted.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
They at once proceeded to get their guns and revolvers to renew the fight.
At Home with the Patagonians|George Chaworth Musters
With one of these weapons in each hand he crouched in readiness to defend himself when the wolves should renew their attack.
With Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga|W. Bert Foster

British Dictionary definitions for renew

renew

verb (mainly tr)

to take up again

(also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommenceto 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)

Derived Formsrenewable, adjectiverenewability, nounrenewer, noun

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

Word Origin and History for renew

renew

late 14c., from re- "again" + Middle English newen "resume, revive, renew" (see new); formed on analogy of Latin renovare. Related: Renewed; renewing.