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 Last year all four auditoriums at VOX Mall of the Emirates were renovated and the chain's standard product was upgraded to premier offering guests the choice of gliders or reclining seats as well as state-of-the-art laser projectors. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 The house had been renovated before and its 2,000 square feet of livable space was in excellent condition when Lossberg and her partner bought it two years ago. Leonie Rolinck, Architectural Digest, 19 Jan. 2025 Listen to this article The Geneva City Council recently voted unanimously to include on the April 1 ballot a referendum question asking voters whether the city should issue up to $68 million in bonds, which would be used to renovate or construct new public safety facilities. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 Capital Public Radio has sued its former general manager, accusing him of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the station to fund a lofty lifestyle filled with lavish overseas trips, renovate his home residence, pay his children’s university tuition and more. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for renovate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renovate
Verb
  • As required in a safety recall, Ford will repair the problem for free.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Fiske will have a small procedure this offseason to repair a knee injury suffered early in the divisional round.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the aftermath of Woolsey, there was a period of mourning, rebuilding, and for some, an awakening.
    Emma Marie Jenkinson, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Francesco Sforza, the duke of Milan, ordered a new castle to be rebuilt on the ruins in 1450.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For the first time outside of Amsterdam, an exhibition reconstructs Anne’s hiding place during the devastation of the Holocaust.
    Shayla Colon, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Villa Porta Maestro Opened in late 2023, Villa Porta Maestra is a boutique hotel reconstructed from an ancient Roman villa where more than 100 archeological artifacts were found and then preserved in an on-site museum.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Repairs can be costly, and damage can take months to fix.
    Sarah Dean, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
  • So far, the speaker has resisted fixing the problem despite clear support from her members and across City Hall in the mayor’s office.
    Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near renovate

Cite this Entry

“Renovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renovate. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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