Meaning & use

regroup

verb·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌriːˈɡruːp/
US/ˌriːˈɡruːp/

Meanings

  1. 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.

  2. 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 singularregroups
past tenseregrouped
past participleregrouped
-ing formregrouping

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

scatterdisperse

Word family

group noun
A number of people or things together.
grouping noun
A set of people or things grouped together.

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

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