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Synonyms

rewrite

American  
[ree-rahyt, ree-rahyt] / riˈraɪt, ˈriˌraɪt /

verb (used with object)

rewrote, rewritten, rewriting
  1. to write in a different form or manner; revise.

    to rewrite the entire book.

  2. to write again.

  3. to write (news submitted by a reporter) for inclusion in a newspaper.


noun

  1. the news story rewritten.

  2. something written in a different form or manner; revision.

    They loved the rewrite, and said it would be a blockbuster!

rewrite British  

verb

  1. to write (written material) again, esp changing the words or form

  2. computing to return (data) to a store when it has been erased during reading

"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. something rewritten

"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

  • rewriter noun

Etymology

Origin of rewrite

First recorded in 1560–70; re- + write

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.

The plan is not binding but serves as a statement of the administration's priorities as Congress begins drafting spending legislation, with lawmakers retaining the power to rewrite or reject it.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The expected tariff changes would come after months of deliberations inside the administration over how to rewrite steel and aluminum tariffs to simplify compliance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The agent managed to rewrite its own code to avoid the kill switch, then posted about the blocking.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

When Idle penned his own rewrite, he recalled thinking, “Woof, I like this.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

“You can’t rewrite what happened, no matter what you do. None of us can. Whatever happened is what happened,” he finishes.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse