Synonyms

renew

American

[ri-noo, -nyoo] / rɪˈnu, -ˈnyu /

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.

Synonyms:

restock
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.

Synonyms:

mend, reinstate, regenerate, rejuvenate, re-create

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.

renew British

/ rɪˈnjuː /

verb

to take up again
(also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommence

to 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)

"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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

renewability noun
renewable adjective
renewably adverb
renewer noun
self-renewing adjective

Etymology

Origin of renew

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

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.

"I feel like I'm losing my mind. I didn't even renew my internet package that I'm paying so much for," said Marjan, in her 20s and from Tehran.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The current version of FISA, however, is set to sunset on April 20, unless Congress acts to renew it.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Google declined to renew when the contract expired, and subsequently published AI principles explicitly ruling out participation in weapons systems.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

The administration later clarified the changes only applied to new visas, not existing visa holders looking to renew their visas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

We will bury it in our fields to renew their fertility and to assure that the baby will follow our ways.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

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