Meaning & use
regroup
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To gather together again after being scattered, especially in order to reorganize or prepare for further action.
Grammar: Can be used with an object (regroup the team) or without (the team regrouped).
Patterns
- regroup the team
- regroup after something
- regroup and try again
The soldiers regrouped after the attack.
The coach told the players to regroup and focus on the next game.
We need to regroup our forces before we continue.
verbintransitivefigurative
To recover your calm or control after a difficult experience, and prepare to continue.
Grammar: No object; often used in the phrase 'regroup and ...'.
Patterns
- regroup after something
- need time to regroup
After losing the election, the party needed time to regroup.
She took a short break to regroup before the meeting.
It's okay to regroup and start again.
Word forms
| third person singular | regroups |
|---|---|
| past tense | regrouped |
| past participle | regrouped |
| -ing form | regrouping |
Common combinations
- regroup after a defeat
- The team regrouped after a heavy defeat.
- regroup and try again
- Don't give up; regroup and try again.
- regroup forces
- The general ordered his troops to regroup forces.
- time to regroup
- We need time to regroup before the next project.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reorganize
- Focuses on changing the structure or order; 'regroup' emphasizes coming together again after being apart.
- reassemble
- Means to come together again in a group; 'regroup' often adds the idea of preparing for action.
- rally
- Suggests a stronger effort to unite after a setback; 'regroup' is more neutral.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: regroup or regroup?
regroup vs regroup
Sometimes confused with 'regroup' and 'regroup'? No, but be careful not to confuse with 'regroup' and 'regroup'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'Regroup after' is the correct pattern; no preposition is needed after 'regrouped' in this sentence. The other options add unnecessary prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “regroup”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.