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

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 rebuild Even Microsoft, once Google’s fiercest rival in the browser space, eventually abandoned its own engine and rebuilt Edge on Chromium. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025 Today, the Gateway to the West continues to rebuild, and Smino’s latest drop is set to contribute financial support. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 11 Oct. 2025 In late 2024, the family moved to South Florida, where Pérez’s partner found work rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes. Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025 Will undertake concrete actions to rebuild trust. Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuild
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuild
Verb
  • And now, all this time later, human beings have risen to prominence here on planet Earth, having reconstructed our cosmic history more successfully than ever before.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
  • During a news conference with his doctors, Sanders shared that a portion of his intestine had been surgically reconstructed to function as a bladder.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The federal push aimed to repair, rehabilitate and replace old iron and steel pipes with new pipelines to improve safety.
    NPR, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Community members at the time cried and mourned as their hopes of rehabilitating and reopening the historic structure were reduced to ashes.
    Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Al-Sudani, who rose to power after that upheaval, insisted his government had taken tangible steps to restore public trust, such as economic progress and political stability.
    Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
  • To that end, the organization works in partnership with archives, film libraries, museums and studios to restore works and develop access strategies through programming in festivals, cinematheques and educational institutions around the world.
    Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuild. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuild

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!