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.
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to restore or replenish.
to renew a stock of goods.
- Synonyms:
- restock
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to make, say, or do again.
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to revive; reestablish.
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to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
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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
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to take up again
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(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
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to extend the period of loan of (a library book)
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to regain or recover (vigour, strength, activity, etc)
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to restore to a new or fresh condition
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to replace (an old or worn-out part or piece)
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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
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renewssimple
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have renewedperfect
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has renewedperfect
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am renewingprogressive
-
are renewingprogressive
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is renewingprogressive
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have been renewingperfect progressive
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has been renewingperfect progressive
Past
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renewedsimple
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had renewedperfect
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was renewingprogressive
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were renewingprogressive
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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:
"Today we renew the sacred oath that we first swore in their names a quarter of a century ago. We will never, ever forget. That's why we fight today," Trump said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Some jurisdictions have opted not to renew contracts with Flock as a result of these concerns, including large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Austin, Texas.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
New Mexico’s Insurance Superintendent Alice Kane recently told state lawmakers that insurers declined to renew more than 6,200 homeowner policies in 2025, the highest number ever.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Carbahal said the grocery chain decided to not renew its lease in that location.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful? The government would pay us to travel. How divine. We would bring an end to world strife and renew people’s hope and faith.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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
Hayden Panettiere’s death sparked renewed scrutiny of society’s treatment of women suffering from the condition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
With the next heating season approaching, the European gas market is more exposed to supply disruptions and renewed price volatility.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
The unprecedented loan from France, the result of years of diplomacy and set to last until next July, has been hailed a symbol of renewed cross-Channel ties following the rancour of Brexit.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
Brent held above $100 a barrel after Wednesday’s sharp rally, as traders assessed escalating attacks on Gulf shipping and renewed Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Kamau was already shaking his head, a renewed grin tugging at the corners of his mouth even as he tried to look serious.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Please let me know if you are open to renewing at the current rate.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Hudson said the carrier managed to produce a "strong" result despite disruption from the Middle East conflict and high fuel prices, allowing it to invest in renewing its fleet.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Spotify confirmed it was not renewing Meghan's 12-episode podcast Archetypes for a second series.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
The companies are in talks about potentially renewing their deal, which is ending soon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Tell your aunt, little Emma, that she ought to set you a better example than to be renewing old grievances, and that if she were not wrong before, she is now.”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
