renew
Americanverb (used with object)
-
renews,
present (3rd person singular)
-
renewed,
past participle, past
-
renewing
present participle
-
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)
-
renews,
present (3rd person singular)
-
renewed,
past participle, past
-
renewing
present participle
-
to begin again; recommence.
-
to renew a lease, note, etc.
-
to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.
verb
-
to take up again
-
(also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommence
to renew an attempt
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to restate or reaffirm (a promise, etc)
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(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)
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to regain or recover (vigour, strength, activity, etc)
-
to restore to a new or fresh condition
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to replace (an old or worn-out part or piece)
-
to replenish (a supply, etc)
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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renewsimple
-
renewssimple
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have renewedperfect
-
has renewedperfect
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am renewingprogressive
-
are renewingprogressive
-
is renewingprogressive
-
have been renewingperfect progressive
-
has been renewingperfect progressive
Past
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renewedsimple
-
had renewedperfect
-
was renewingprogressive
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were renewingprogressive
-
had been renewingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of renew
First recorded in 1325–75, renew is from the Middle English word renewen. See re-, new
Explanation
If you make something like new, you renew it. When you catch up with an old friend you haven't seen in a long time, you renew your friendship. To renew is to make new again. If you get a new due date for your library books, you've renewed them. If you forget to renew them, your books will be overdue, and you may have to pay a fine. Renew also means to revive, restore, or cause to appear in a new form. Historically, all kinds of tonics have claimed to renew a person's health, but many of the early ones actually contained poisons that could kill you.
Vocabulary lists containing renew
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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.
See Examples For:
Morocco's royal palace welcomed the failure to renew Minurso's mandate.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Political institutions have “much to contribute,” he allows, “but it is ultimately the teaching of the arts and humanities that will renew our inherited traditions.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
“It’s time to renew that compact while also recognizing the ecosystem needs to evolve,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
After the decision not to renew Kesic's show, hundreds protested in Belgrade, in a sign of his popularity.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
“There are certain rituals every fairy must complete to renew his magic,” explained Artemis.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
The EU must rebalance its trade relationship with China, the bloc's industry chief said Friday, as Brussels renews its focus on commerce ties with Beijing.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
From a scenic perspective, the new production of “The Adding Machine” from the Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation in Culver City renews the demi-classic with stark beauty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026
They reckon Sembcorp Industries could benefit from these higher prices if its gas-importing subsidiary renews contracts to sell gas to others.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
Tuesday night's attack on Bohodukhiv comes as Moscow renews strikes after a week-long pause US President Donald Trump had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe as a fierce cold swept Ukraine.
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026
Bobby believed deeply in the notion that a play renews itself every day, in rehearsal or performance.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
All's Fair, which was created by American Horror Story and Glee showrunner Ryan Murphy, became the Hulu network's most-watched scripted series debut of the last three years and was immediately renewed.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
It said members would meet policymakers, civil society groups and business leaders to "explore opportunities for renewed US engagement on climate, energy, and economic policy."
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
Behind the scenes, regional diplomats are engaging in furious shuttle diplomacy to avert renewed fighting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
Tigress Financial Partners analyst Ivan Feinseth told MarketWatch that Microsoft and Amazon were benefiting from “a combination of post-election relief, declining policy uncertainty, renewed investor enthusiasm for AI and cloud computing and significant short covering.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
In a renewed offensive, the army advanced under the Inka’s personal command.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
A deal would pave the way for further talks on renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
The Oscars are headed to YouTube in 2029, as ABC passed on renewing its rights deal, ending a relationship that dates back to 1961, interrupted only by a five-year return to NBC in the 1970s.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
The Welsh government said it was "renewing" its approach to eradicating bovine TB.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
Please let me know if you are open to renewing at the current rate.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
They would be home by now, Beatrice with her suit-case unpacked, going out into her garden and taking up her ordinary routine, and Giles preparing for his match, renewing the whipping on his bat.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
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