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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

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.

Lady Bird Johnson launched a series of beautification and urban renewal projects in Washington, a visual taste of the Great Society her husband hoped to bring about nationwide.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

CBS canceled the show “After Hours” after its host, comedian Taylor Tomlinson, decided to leave despite the renewal of the program for a third season.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

They said they supported naming Powell as the “chair pro tempore” but wanted the designation to be time-limited and subject to a renewal vote if Warsh’s swearing-in was delayed beyond several weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

While that contract renewal had been in the works for a few months, the timing of the announcement felt pertinent.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Here, Ifemelu felt a gentle, swaying sense of renewal.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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