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Synonyms

renewal

American  
[ri-noo-uhl, -nyoo-] / rɪˈnu əl, -ˈnyu- /

noun

  1. the act of renewing.

  2. the state of being renewed.

  3. an instance of this.


renewal British  
/ rɪˈnjuːəl /

noun

  1. the act of renewing or state of being renewed

  2. something that is renewed

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of renewal

First recorded in 1675–85; renew + -al 2

Explanation

Renewal is the act or process of restoring or reviving something, giving it a fresh burst of life. It could be a forest regrowing after a fire, or a person finding new energy after a good rest. The word renewal comes from the idea of making something "new again." In nature, spring is often seen as a time of renewal, when trees sprout fresh leaves, flowers bloom, and warming temperatures lift people's spirits. Societal renewal can involve refocusing on founding principles and ideals. Urban renewal can include updating community parks, rebuilding roads, and renovating buildings, bringing new life to a city. More simply, a renewal might be an official continuation of an expired contract, law, or subscription.

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Vocabulary lists containing renewal

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.

Some policies allow a “no-exam” renewal or conversion without health changes, but the premiums still rise.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

More than 1.2 million people filled the streets of Madrid on Sunday for a mass by Pope Leo XIV at which he called for a renewal of the Catholic faith in Spain.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

The company’s plan involves restoring profitability through operational efficiencies, focusing on core brands, product renewal and stronger regional delivery, while also relying heavily on a significant volume recovery in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

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

Greenberg, who already owned a similar number of houses in the section, was expanding his holdings to exploit the housing crunch caused by urban renewal.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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