Meaning & use
renewing
Last updated
“renewing” is a form of “renew”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Giving a feeling of being fresh, restored or full of new energy.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a verb: a renewing rest, the walk felt renewing.
Patterns
- a renewing experience
The weekend by the sea was a renewing break.
She found the cool morning air renewing.
A renewing sense of hope followed the good news.
verbtransitive
Making something valid for a further period, such as a license, contract or subscription.
Grammar: -ing form of renew; it takes an object: renewing a passport.
Patterns
- renewing something
He is renewing his passport before the trip.
We are renewing the lease for another year.
Renewing a library book can be done online.
verbtransitive
Starting something again with new force after a break.
Grammar: Takes an object, such as renewing efforts or an acquaintance.
Patterns
- renewing something
The two friends spent the evening renewing their old bond.
The government is renewing its call for talks.
She was renewing her efforts to find a job.
Word forms
| base form | renew |
|---|---|
| third person singular | renews |
| past tense | renewed |
| past participle | renewed |
| -ing form | renewing |
Common combinations
- renewing a subscription
- Renewing a subscription costs less than starting a new one.
- renewing a license
- He is renewing his driver's license this week.
- renewing efforts
- The team is renewing efforts to find a cure.
- a renewing sleep
- A renewing sleep followed the long journey.
- renewing friendships
- Renewing friendships took time after the move.
Synonyms and how they differ
- refreshing
- Refreshing suggests something cooling or pleasantly different, while renewing suggests being restored to a former, better state.
- restorative
- Restorative is a bit more formal and stresses repair of health or strength.
- invigorating
- Invigorating focuses on a burst of energy, whereas renewing is gentler and slower.
- extending
- Extending means making something last longer, while renewing a contract means starting a fresh term.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: renewing or renovating?
renewing vs renovating
Renovating means repairing and improving a building, while renewing means making valid or fresh again.
Practice
Dan is ___ his gym membership before it expires on Friday.
Choose one answer.
Renewing means making a membership valid for a further period. Renovating is for buildings, and the other verbs do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “renewing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.