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Meaning & use

renew yourself

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/rɪˌnjuː jɔːˈself/
US/rɪˌnuː jʊrˈself/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    To restore your own energy, spirit, or sense of purpose through rest or a fresh start.

    Grammar: The object is always a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject: renew myself, renew yourself, renew ourselves.

    Patterns

    • renew yourself after something
    • renew yourself with something
    • need to renew yourself

    After months of overtime, she took a week off to renew herself by the sea.

    A quiet weekend alone can renew you more than a long holiday with friends.

    He felt he needed to renew himself before starting the new job.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    To make a fresh commitment to your beliefs, values, or way of living.

    Grammar: Often followed by 'by doing something' or 'through something' to name the means of renewal.

    Patterns

    • renew yourself through something
    • renew yourself by doing something

    She renewed herself by returning to the faith she had grown up with.

    The retreat helped him renew himself and refocus on what mattered.

Common combinations

renew yourself after a difficult time
He went hiking to renew himself after the divorce.
renew yourself with a short break
You can renew yourself with a short break, even just a day.
need to renew yourself
I need to renew myself before the busy season starts.
renew yourself spiritually
Many people renew themselves spiritually through meditation.

Synonyms and how they differ

recharge
More informal and often used about energy alone, not beliefs or purpose: I need to recharge my batteries.
refresh yourself
Suggests a lighter, quicker restoration, like a nap or a shower, rather than a deep renewal.
reinvigorate yourself
Stronger and more formal; it stresses gaining new strength and vigor.

Opposites

exhaust yourselfwear yourself out

Word family

renewal noun
The process of making something new or fresh again; often used of contracts, vows, or energy.
renewable adjective
Able to be renewed, especially of energy sources like solar or wind power.
renewed adjective
Having been made fresh or strong again, as in 'renewed confidence'.

Commonly confused: renew yourself or renew?

renew yourself vs renew

'Renew' is transitive and needs an object: renew a passport, renew your energy. 'Renew yourself' uses a reflexive object to mean you are the one being restored.

Practice

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