verb
Uncommon
rethink
ree-THIHNGK
Rethink (verb) means to think about something again with a view to changing it. Example: “The council was forced to rethink its parking policy after complaints.”
verb
1
To think about something again with a view to changing it.
"Disability rights advocates are encouraging people to rethink the words "crazy" and "insane" as they stigmatize mental health."
"The council was forced to rethink its parking policy after complaints."
"But the NCC has been forced to rethink its approach and has already extended the deadline three times, at short notice."
— Eoin McSweeney, As Covid-19 cases rise in Nigeria, a government policy is creating crowds and chaos (2021)
noun
1
A fresh reconsideration of a plan or decision.
"The failed launch prompted a total rethink of the marketing strategy."
How to use rethink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo reconsider a decision, often because it isn't working.
Common pairings
need a rethink
rethink strategy
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Word forms
- Plural
- rethinks
- Third person singular
- rethinks
- Past tense
- rethought
Fill the gap
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The council was forced to _____ its parking policy after complaints.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “rethink” mean?
The word “rethink” means to think about something again with a view to changing it. In plain terms, to reconsider a decision, often because it isn't working.
How do you pronounce “rethink”?
“Rethink” is pronounced ree-THIHNGK (/ɹiːˈθɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “rethink” in a sentence?
Here is “rethink” used in a sentence: “The council was forced to rethink its parking policy after complaints.”
What part of speech is “rethink”?
Depending on how it is used, “rethink” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “rethink” a common word?
“Rethink” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rethink” have?
“Rethink” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to think about something again with a view to changing it.
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