Meaning & use
rebuild
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To build something again after it has been damaged or destroyed.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'rebuild the house'. Can also be intransitive: 'The city rebuilt after the war.'
Patterns
- rebuild something
- rebuild after something
They had to rebuild the bridge after the flood.
The community came together to rebuild their homes.
It took years to rebuild the city center.
verbtransitivefigurative
To restore something such as trust, a relationship, or a reputation.
Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns: 'rebuild trust', 'rebuild a relationship'.
Patterns
- rebuild trust
- rebuild a relationship
- rebuild confidence
The scandal made it hard for the company to rebuild its reputation.
They are trying to rebuild their friendship after the argument.
It takes time to rebuild trust once it is broken.
verbtransitivetechnical
To put something together again from its parts, especially a machine or engine.
Grammar: Often used for mechanical things: 'rebuild the engine'.
Patterns
- rebuild an engine
- rebuild a machine
He rebuilt the old motorcycle from spare parts.
The mechanic rebuilt the engine in just two days.
She rebuilt the computer after it crashed.
Word forms
| third person singular | rebuilds |
|---|---|
| past tense | rebuilt |
| past participle | rebuilt |
| -ing form | rebuilding |
Common combinations
- rebuild trust
- The manager worked hard to rebuild trust with her team.
- rebuild a city
- Donations helped rebuild the city after the earthquake.
- rebuild an engine
- It's cheaper to rebuild the engine than to buy a new car.
- rebuild a relationship
- They went to counseling to rebuild their relationship.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reconstruct
- More formal and often used for buildings or events; 'rebuild' is more common and can also refer to abstract things like trust.
- restore
- Focuses on bringing something back to its original condition; 'rebuild' emphasizes building again from the start.
Opposites
Word family
- rebuilding noun
- The act of building something again.
- rebuild noun
- An instance of rebuilding, especially of a machine.
Commonly confused: rebuild or rebuild?
rebuild vs rebuild
Not to be confused with 'rebilled', which means charged again.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'rebuild' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct pattern is 'rebuild trust with someone'. 'Of', 'for', and 'at' do not fit this common collocation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rebuild”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.