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Synonyms

rethink

American  
[ree-thingk, ree-thingk] / riˈθɪŋk, ˈriˌθɪŋk /

verb (used with or without object)

rethought, rethinking

  1. to reconsider, especially profoundly.

noun

  1. the act of reconsidering.

rethink British  

verb

  1. to think about (something) again, esp with a view to changing one's tactics or opinions

"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

noun

  1. the act or an instance of thinking again

"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

  • rethinker noun

Etymology

Origin of rethink

First recorded in 1690–1700; re- + think 1

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.

Walsh said the disruptions could prompt a broader rethink on energy policy.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

However, Luce said it was time to rethink elements of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“I think we would have to rethink how we start to look at this issue from the demand side,” Aviña said.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The European Union and Australia agreed to a free-trade deal and security partnership, the latest move by U.S. allies to rethink their economic and military relationships at a time of rapidly growing geopolitical uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

“You might want to rethink that,” said Mother.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

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.