rebuild

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuild contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuild are mend, patch, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When would mend be a good substitute for rebuild?

The synonyms mend and rebuild are sometimes interchangeable, but mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

Where would patch be a reasonable alternative to rebuild?

The meanings of patch and rebuild largely overlap; however, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

When could repair be used to replace rebuild?

In some situations, the words repair and rebuild are roughly equivalent. However, repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

Examples 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 rebuild In the decades that followed, Carter won the approval of the American public by rebuilding homes with Habitat for Humanity and establishing the nonprofit Carter Center, which among other work monitors international elections. Nicole Werbeck, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024 As Hezbollah rebuilt, the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, expanded a network of human sources inside the militia, according to 10 current and former American and Israeli officials. Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024 Not to mention, Deion Sanders is the head coach of Colorado and has rebuilt the program into one of the most captivating in the nation. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 29 Dec. 2024 New apartment buildings were completed along South Caroline Street in the effort to rebuild a community on the site of a World War II-era housing project. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 28 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rebuild 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • Were the returning sets easy to reconstruct, or was there anything tricky about recreating things like the dorm room and Red Light/Green Light?
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024
  • April After another surgery to reconstruct her skull, Skye is released from the hospital, months ahead of schedule.
    Elise Wrabetz, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Like other forms of therapy, a successful MT plan is designed based on the area being rehabilitated.
    Mill Etienne, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • No sooner had the fire been contained in a few hours than €800 million ($845 million) was raised to rehabilitate the structure, whose iconic wooden spire collapsed, its roof destroyed.
    Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • President Trump will restore patriotism, American exceptionalism, grow our economy, secure our borders, keep us safe, and bring peace through American strength.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Some coaches also thought officials erred in restoring Denver’s timeout anyway because too much time lapsed between the end of the play and Brown falling to the ground a second time.
    Mike Sando, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near rebuild

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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