refinance

verb

re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnan(t)s How to pronounce refinance (audio) (ˌ)rē-ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s How to pronounce refinance (audio)
ˌrē-(ˌ)fī-ˈnan(t)s
refinanced; refinancing; refinances
Synonyms of refinancenext

transitive + intransitive

: to renew or reorganize the financing of something : to provide for (an outstanding indebtedness) by making or obtaining another loan or a larger loan on fresh terms
refinance a mortgage
With rates tumbling, pay a little more now and retain the flexibility to refinance again next year.—Daniel Kadlec

Examples of refinance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Why mortgage rates could stay higher for longer Mortgage rates tend to move with the 10-year Treasury yield, which serves as a benchmark because mortgages are typically paid off or refinanced well before their 30-year term. — Mike Winters, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 With rates going up, homeowners who must refinance face monthly increases of hundreds of pounds. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 But your antennae should wiggle if a refinancing offer seems too good to be true. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 Elevated borrowing rates and refinancing challenges (registration required) have squeezed an already difficult landscape for development financing. — Jill Jones, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refinance

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refinance was in 1995

Rhymes for refinance

See All Rhymes for refinance

Browse Nearby Words

refilter
refinance
refind
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refinance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinance. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

refinance

1 of 2 transitive verb
re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnans, -ˈfī-ˌnans How to pronounce refinance (audio)
1
: to renew or reorganize the financing of
2
: to revise the terms of (a debt obligation) especially in regard to interest rate or payment schedule
refinance a mortgage

intransitive verb

: to finance something anew

refinance

2 of 2 noun
: a financing of something anew
especially : a revision of the terms of a debt obligation (as a mortgage)

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