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

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 renovate It's been renovated and restored to host a variety of music, dance and comedy shows featuring SNL stars and the San Diego Opera Chorus. Kate Murphy, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024 What does a community like Chinatown lose when businesses like Chung’s close? The building that housed our restaurant – which has been abandoned for 20 years – was recently renovated, and I was approached about reopening our family’s business. Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Dec. 2024 The Row; Food Architects, who have designed spaces for MoMA and Kim Kardashian; and architect Frida Escobedo, based in Mexico City and New York, who was selected to renovate the Centre Pompidou alongside the Parisian firm Moreau Kusunoki. Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024 Annie Schlechter The Kitchen: The couple renovated the rundown original with Kitchen Consultants on Long Island, which also did Dean & DeLuca. Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renovate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renovate
Verb
  • Mercury and Venus’ connection reveals how to repair the damage incurred over the past two days.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
  • That optimistic outlook is much needed as invoices are still due on the marred merchandise, and the cost of cleanup efforts and repairing damage to the building owned by the Olde World Christmas Shoppe is hundreds of thousands of dollars.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But what about having to rebuild a roster on what seems like an annual basis?
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
  • In 2021, Oren and Tal purchased a $10 million waterfront home in Miami Beach to teardown and rebuild with their father.
    Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Many of the original tiles, now housed in international collections like the British Museum and the V&A, were digitally reconstructed and displayed in the adjacent museum.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Under chemical analysis, scientists were able to reconstruct past environmental changes like ocean temperature shifts and the eruptions of underwater seamounts, which left their marks on the ancient sponge.
    Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The solution isn’t fixing the other person but addressing the dynamic itself.
    Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Woolford also recommended that parents not use threats to fix misbehavior.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near renovate

Cite this Entry

“Renovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renovate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on renovate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!