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to rework

to rework

30 4.0
To change something again to make it better
  • verb
  • /ˌriːˈwɜrk/
translation icon : reelaborar
  • So you will stop it and rework it if it isn't working.
  • rework a problem
  • rework an idea
  • rework materials

So you will stop it and rework it if it isn't working.

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Examples

  • I think we should rework the script a little.

  • The actors are going to improvise and rework the dialogue anyway.

  • I do think I want to rework this space a bit.

  • Went to New York to rework his novel for publication.

  • We'd be in a better position to rework the pathway if we knew more about it.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Students were given the choice of reworking and resubmitting the homework problem.

    Academic text (2000)
  • I've reworked the speech for the PAC meeting.

  • Degas kept the painting in his studio and reworked it during the 1890s.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The teacher asked me to rework my project to include more research.

  • After reviewing the feedback, she decided to rework the presentation for clarity.

Synonyms

to revise
vsto rework
179 3.4

Change a piece of writing to correct mistakes and make it better

is more general and not limited to detailed corrections
to rewrite
vsto rework
112 2.8

To make a new version of a text to improve or change it

is more general and applies to many kinds of change
to reinvent
vsto rework
102 4.3

Make a thing or person look new and work better

is about renewing in a very different way rather than small improvement
to refine
vsto rework
93 4.0

Make something better by making a few small changes

is broader and may involve larger changes not only small tweaks
to restructure
vsto rework
56 4.4

Organize something in a new way so it works better

is more general and may involve changes beyond organization
to redesign
vsto rework
56 3.7

Change the look or plan of something, like a website, to make it better

is broader and may include small adjustments beyond design changes
to reconfigure
vsto rework
  • Specialized
53 5.4

Change the order or settings of something to fit new needs

is more general and covers nontechnical improvements too
to remake
vsto rework
52 3.5

To make something again in a new or better way

often involves smaller changes rather than complete new creation
to redo
vsto rework
47 2.1

Do something again to fix mistakes or make it better

is about altering by working on it again rather than full repetition
to reorganize
vsto rework
43 3.4

To change the way something is arranged to make it work better

is broader, covering design and content changes not only arrangement
to revamp
vsto rework
41 4.9

To change something to make it look or work better

is more general and can include smaller iterative changes
to overhaul
vsto rework
35 4.6

To check and fix or change something completely to make it work better

is usually less comprehensive and allows partial or gradual changes
to readjust
vsto rework
22 3.8

Change something or yourself again to fit a new situation

is broader and may involve larger redesigns not only small adaptations
to make over
vsto rework
10 5.1

Change something old so it can be used in a new way

is often more about changing details rather than full transformation
to reimagine
vsto rework
9 4.7

Think of something in a new way

is more practical and focuses on changing the actual object not only ideas
to retool
vsto rework
8 5.9

Change a plan or system to make it work better

is broader than changing tools and can mean many other adjustments
to recalibrate
vsto rework
7 6.5

Change a plan or attitude to fit new information

is more general and covers practical repairs not only adjustment of plans
to redraft
vsto rework
3 3.5

Write something again to make it better

is used for many kinds of change not only new drafts
to reengineer
vsto rework
  • Specialized
3 5.5

Change a process, system or product to make it work better

is broader and not limited to technical redesigns
to refashion
vsto rework
3 4.9

To change something into a new or different form

is more general and can include minor updates not full remaking
to remold
vsto rework
  • US
2 4.6

To change how something is shaped or how it works

is broader, applying to function and content not only shape
to recompose
vsto rework
1 6.0

Arrange parts again in a new way, like a picture or song

is broader and includes edits beyond rearranging parts
to retread
vsto rework
1 7.2

To present an old idea again with small changes

is broader and can include deeper changes beyond slight reusing
to redevelop
vsto rework
1 4.7

To change and improve an idea, plan, or computer program

is broader, applying to practical updates beyond conceptual redevelopment
to rejig
vsto rework
  • Informal
1 7.0

To change the machines and how a factory works to make it work better

is broader, including careful improvements rather than quick rearrangements
to re-edit
vsto rework
3.9

Change something written, filmed, or recorded to improve it

is broader, applying to many types of work beyond editing
to repolish
vsto rework
4.2

Improve writing or a presentation by making small changes

is about more substantial alteration rather than only final polishing
to regear
vsto rework
  • Jargon
7.3

To change the way a company or team works to meet new goals

is more general and not limited to shifting strategy or structure
to relook
vsto rework
5.1

To change the appearance or design to make it more modern

is more general and includes functional or internal improvements too
to reweave
vsto rework
6.2

To bring parts or people back together to make something whole again

is more general and can refer to many types of change not only structure

Antonyms

to leave it be
  • Informal
1 5.1

To let something stay as it is without changing it

How Thorough

to rebuild
485 2.8
to overhaul
35 4.6
to rework
30 4.0
to revise
179 3.4
to tweak
81 3.8

Surface Forms

rework infinitive
reworked past
reworked past participle
reworking present participle
reworks third person singular

Morphology

rework = work (transparent) = re + work

This is standard prefixation of 're-' onto 'work', and the meaning 'work on again' directly matches the sense.

Etymology

The word rework is made of the prefix re- meaning 'again' and the common word work meaning 'to do a task'. So, to rework something is to 'work on it again' in order to change or improve it.