RENEW Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'renew' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renew are refresh , rejuvenate , renovate , and restore . While all these words mean "to make like new," renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new. // efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

Q: When might 'refresh' be a better fit than 'renew'?

The words refresh and renew can be used in similar contexts, but refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power. // a refreshing drink

Q: When is it sensible to use 'rejuvenate' instead of 'renew'?

In some situations, the words rejuvenate and renew are roughly equivalent. However, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance. // the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Q: When can 'renovate' be used instead of 'renew'?

The words renovate and renew are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding. // the apartment has been entirely renovated

Q: When is 'restore' a more appropriate choice than 'renew'?

While the synonyms restore and renew are close in meaning, restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss. // restored a fine piece of furniture

renew

verb

ri-ˈnü

Definition of renew

as in to restore

to bring back to a former condition or vigor the trip to New York renewed our enthusiasm for travel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to continue

to begin again or return to after an interruption with daybreak, the rescue team will renew its efforts to reach the stranded mountain climbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to revive

to bring back to life, practice, or activity the spate of recent movies based on classic comic book characters has renewed interest in the comics themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to repeat

to make or do again I can only renew my offer to help—it's up to them to accept it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb renew differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renew are refresh, rejuvenate, renovate, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

When might refresh be a better fit than renew?

The words refresh and renew can be used in similar contexts, but refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is it sensible to use rejuvenate instead of renew?

In some situations, the words rejuvenate and renew are roughly equivalent. However, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When can renovate be used instead of renew?

The words renovate and renew are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

When is restore a more appropriate choice than renew?

While the synonyms restore and renew are close in meaning, restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of renew Paramount+ has renewed the hit series for a fifth season, with a surprise twist — the production is moving to New York City. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 Your skin constantly replaces old cells, your blood cells are continually renewed, and your liver can regrow considerably if part of it is removed. — Junsu Kang, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 The Sylvester Stallone series has been renewed for a fifth season at Paramount+ as the production migrates from Georgia to the Big Apple, coinciding with the Season 5 storyline. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 The series has not been renewed for Season 2 as of publishing. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renew

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renew

Verb

Set the scene The Homestead screams quirky, artful, and vintage yet restored—capturing a whimsical, fairytale ambiance embellished with hints of Southern charm.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
But a federal judge ruled that the administration failed to provide due process, and ordered that hard passes to dozens of reporters be restored.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of restore

Verb

This structure cements a type of paralysis for employers, which until recently, had almost no access to prices or their own data — but have continued to write the checks anyway.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Outlets like Zeteo, The Bulwark, Crooked Media, and More Perfect Union have added millions of readers, listeners, and YouTube subscribers, even as cable news viewership continues to slide.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of continue

Verb

However, in the 7th century, this all vanished; the temples were abandoned and later looted, and Kea never again revived its trade or harbor settlements.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has revived Yemen's civil war after a four-year ceasefire.

— AHMED AL-HAJ, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of revive

Verb

The shopkeeper’s brusque response would no doubt be repeated over and over again.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
These materials mimic important structural features of quasicrystals while having a repeating crystal structure that can be studied experimentally.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of repeat

Verb

On Tuesday, Marvell Technology is hosting an investor day, and some refreshed targets could help the AI semiconductor trade.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
And in China, Hill noted the progress the new leadership team has made over the past six months, and detailed plans to tighten up the region’s digital channels and refresh physical doors.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of refresh

Verb

Bulgarian maritime authorities said Wednesday that the search efforts for the crew of Alfa Watan had been suspended and wouldn't resume.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Though the pipeline hasn’t transported gas to Germany since 2022, the country’s far-right AfD supports resuming flows, which could allow US investors to profit.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of resume

Verb

Simmons is trying to resurrect his career after sitting out last season to heal a debilitating back injury.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Indian Motorcycle has roots stretching back more than a century, despite disappearing and being resurrected along the way.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of resurrect

Verb

Meloni’s move comes as governments, regulators and public figures grapple with the rapid spread of artificial intelligence tools capable of convincingly replicating voices and images.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Craven similarly replicates the formula of inoffensive statement versus misogynistic backlash.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of replicate

Cite this Entry

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“Renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renew. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of renew

verb

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