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Glite Dictionary
💧 Baptism again 🔄 New identity
rebaptism

rebaptism

8.4
Giving a person or group a new identity to show a fresh start
  • noun
  • /ˌriːˈbæptɪzəm/
  • Literature
translation icon : renombramiento
  • After the merger, the company underwent a rebaptism to reflect its new mission.

Examples

  • The rebaptism of the old theater marked a new era for the arts community.

  • After the scandal, they underwent a rebaptism in the public eye.

  • The city celebrated its rebaptism with a festival to honor its renewed identity.

  • The company's rebaptism helped it regain customer trust.

  • After the merger, the company underwent a rebaptism to reflect its new mission.

  • The rebaptism of the old theater marked a new era for the arts community.

  • The city celebrated its rebaptism with a festival to honor its renewed identity.

Synonyms

reinvention
vsrebaptism
13 4.6

A big change that makes something seem new

is mostly about symbolic renaming rather than deep substantive transformation
rebrand
vsrebaptism
1 4.4

A change to a company or product's name and look to make it seem new

is a figurative renaming that stresses symbolic fresh start not just marketing
rechristening
vsrebaptism
  • Formal
7.0

An event where someone gives a new name to a person or thing in a religious ceremony

is a figurative renaming used metaphorically rather than a real ceremony
redesignation
vsrebaptism
  • Formal
6.7

An official change of name or status for something

is a symbolic identity change rather than a formal administrative reclassification

How Radical

rebaptism
  • Literature
8.4
rebrand
1 4.4
to rename
64 2.3
to relabel
3 3.4

Surface Forms

rebaptism singular
rebaptisms plural

Morphology

rebaptism = baptism (semi-transparent) = re + baptism

The figurative 'giving a new name/identity' is a metaphorical extension of the literal 'baptizing again', so the connection is understandable but not strictly literal.

Etymology

Rebaptism can also mean giving a new name or a fresh start to a person, group, or thing. A helpful way to remember this is that baptism has long meant a 'new start' or 'naming', and with re- ('again') rebaptism becomes a second naming or a renewed identity.