retool

verb

re·​tool (ˌ)rē-ˈtül How to pronounce retool (audio)
retooled; retooling; retools
Synonyms of retoolnext

transitive verb

1
: to reequip with tools
2
3

intransitive verb

: to make especially minor changes or improvements
retool for the future

Examples of retool in a Sentence

The factory has been retooled. The company is retooling its sales strategies. The company is retooling for the future.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the Yankees maintained their roster, most of the rest of the division retooled. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 More industries are retooling around AI after experiencing slowdowns in their core businesses. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026 The decision to halt production of the Escape, and its luxury cousin the Lincoln Corsair, also built at Louisville Assembly, was so that Ford could spend $2 billion to retool the plant to build a future lineup of affordable electric vehicles, the first one — a midsize pickup — to launch next year. Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 The decision to halt production of the Escape, and its luxury cousin the Lincoln Corsair, also built at Louisville Assembly, was so that Ford could spend $2 billion to retool the plant to build a future lineup of affordable electric vehicles, the first one — a midsize pickup — to launch next year. Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retool

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retool was in 1917

Cite this Entry

“Retool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retool. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

retool

verb
re·​tool (ˈ)rē-ˈtül How to pronounce retool (audio)
1
: to equip again with new or different tools
retool a factory
2
: to make changes or improvements to
retool that idea

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