renovate

verb

ˈre-nə-ˌvāt How to pronounce renovate (audio)
Definition of renovatenext
as in to repair
to put into good shape or working order again will have to renovate the house extensively before we can move in

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb renovate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of renovate are refresh, rejuvenate, renew, and restore. While all these words mean "to make like new," renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

When is it sensible to use refresh instead of renovate?

While the synonyms refresh and renovate are close in meaning, refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is rejuvenate a more appropriate choice than renovate?

While in some cases nearly identical to renovate, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When would renew be a good substitute for renovate?

The words renew and renovate can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Where would restore be a reasonable alternative to renovate?

Although the words restore and renovate have much in common, 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 renovate In the eight years since, Brent Buck Architects has built its name renovating town houses across the borough. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026 The Moline is being renovated with retail space and more than 100 lofts. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 As the war ground to a close and Soviet forces advanced on Austria, the family hid the sculpture in their home; it was rediscovered years later, when the house was being renovated. — News Desk, Artforum, 22 Oct. 2026 Courtesy of Jordan Slocum Brownstones can be challenging to renovate due to the age of the buildings and materials, according to Bordelon. — Sophie Caldwell,valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renovate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renovate
  1. repair
  2. rebuild
  3. reconstruct
  4. fix
Verb
  • The California Department of Transportation has also secured millions of dollars in emergency funds to repair a massive crack that developed during early-October high tides on a slope below Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Kleeb said the decision to back Osborn is part of a long-term goal, which includes repairing the damage to the Democratic brand in a redder state like Nebraska.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of repair
Verb
  • Teams focused on hardware don’t have the luxury of time afforded to rebuilding teams such as the Bulls, who care more about playing through their young players than racking up wins this season.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • This should be particularly troubling to Floridians, whose communities include Nicaraguans who fled persecution and rebuilt their lives in the United States.
    — Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebuild
Verb
  • By stringing multiple kill dates of moss samples taken from different spots, scientists reconstructed a map of an advancing ice margin.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The team reconstructed the evolutionary history of GxpS, the enzyme that produces GameXPeptides, to investigate how different peptide structures evolved.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of reconstruct
Verb
  • And while Buffalo and Jacksonville can use the break to rest and recharge, fans in Washington and Los Angeles are hoping a week away might somehow fix what’s gone wrong.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Tyler is still on the hook to help fix outstanding problems at the treasurer’s office involving property tax revenue payouts and distribution reports to local governments across the county, and pay out refunds to taxpayers.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fix

Browse Nearby Words

renouncing
renovate
renovated
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Cite this Entry

“Renovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renovate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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