re·wild·ing
(ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)l-diŋ 
: an effort to increase biodiversity and restore the natural processes of an ecosystem that typically involves reducing or ceasing human activity and often the planned reintroduction of a plant or animal species and especially a keystone species
Rewilding—giving nature the space and opportunity to express itself—is largely a leap of faith.—
Isabella Tree
Isabella TreeLarge-scale domestic rewilding projects include dam removal in the Pacific Northwest and in the Northeast to facilitate the return of several endangered species of salmon, as well as reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park, which stabilized and reinvigorated the ecosystem.—Carey Smith
Carey SmithThe concept of rewilding creates hope; it gives the opportunity to set things right, to link protected areas through corridors, to bring back species once lost, and to revitalize our forests, rivers, and wetlands with all forms of life.—Bahar Dutt
Bahar DuttThe truth of when this forest actually existed and why it disappeared is murky. … Now, a group of visionary conservationists and ecotourism companies are working to revive the landscape through rewilding.—Chloe Berge
Chloe Bergerewilding
2 of 2present participle of rewild
Examples of rewilding in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Time, 19 May 2026
When rewilding is considered acceptable by communities, the conservation goal becomes creatively working with those communities to devise acceptable ways to coexist with rewilded species.
—Paige Stein, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Tourism projects in Romania, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and beyond are helping fund many large-scale rewilding efforts, underscoring that with proper care—removal of invasive species, reforestation, reintroduction of endemic fauna and flora—the land can heal.
—Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
Or, as the NGO’s name implies, rewilding.
—Mark Johanson, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026
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Noun
Thankfully, the story has taken a positive turn with recent community efforts to restore and revitalize the river, along with a natural rewilding phenomenon.
—Time, 19 May 2026
When rewilding is considered acceptable by communities, the conservation goal becomes creatively working with those communities to devise acceptable ways to coexist with rewilded species.
—Paige Stein, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Tourism projects in Romania, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and beyond are helping fund many large-scale rewilding efforts, underscoring that with proper care—removal of invasive species, reforestation, reintroduction of endemic fauna and flora—the land can heal.
—Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
Or, as the NGO’s name implies, rewilding.
—Mark Johanson, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rewilding
Cite this Entry
“Rewilding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rewilding. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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