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rethink

A1
verbnoun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rɪθˈɪŋk/

US

  • /riˈθɪŋk/

Description

Sometimes the first answer is not the best one. That's where "rethink" comes in. To rethink something is to look at it again, often because your first idea was not working or because new information appeared. It's like hitting "undo" on a big decision, taking a step back and saying, "Hmm, maybe I need to look at this differently." A chef might rethink a recipe if the first attempt tastes bland, and an architect might rethink building plans after finding unstable ground. You do not always change your mind when you rethink something, but you do give it another careful look.

Examples

  1. 1

    Travel plans

    After the storm, we had to rethink our travel plans.

  2. 2

    Workplace policy

    The company is rethinking its hiring policy after months of complaints.

  3. 3

    Essay organization

    Her teacher's feedback made her rethink how she organized her essay.

    • Pattern

      rethink how ...

      think again about the best way to do something

  4. 4

    Product launch

    Poor sales forced the team to rethink whether the product was ready to launch.

    • Pattern

      rethink whether ...

      consider again if something is true or right

  5. 5

    Polite warning

    You may want to rethink that email before you hit send.

    • Usage

      You may want to rethink ...

      a polite way to say someone's idea or action seems unwise

  6. 6

    Personal values

    Becoming a parent made him rethink what success really meant.

Forms and spellings

7 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • rethinknounverb

Forms

  • re-thoughtpast tensepast participleverbnoun
  • re-thinking-ing formverbnoun
  • re-thinksverbnoun
  • rethinking-ing formverbnoun
  • rethoughtpast tensepast participleverbnoun
  • rethinksverbnoun