replenished; replenishing; replenishes
Synonyms of replenish

transitive verb

1
: to fill or build up again
replenish a supply of fuel
… London's population was continually being replenished with recruits from the countryside …Barbara A. Hanawalt
… most of her income will be used to replenish the family's almost-depleted savings.Louis Uchitelle
… the fields are rotated every three years with other crops … so that the soil can replenish itself and remain nitrogen rich.Eugenia Bone
Apparently, animals sleep to regulate body temperature, organize memories and replenish the immune system …Sandra Blakeslee
2
a
: to fill with persons or animals
… be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth …Genesis 1:28 (Authorized Version)
b
: to fill with inspiration or power : nourish
… the American mind should cease to replenish itself with the mighty wonders of Europe …Van Wyck Brooks
c
archaic : to supply fully : perfect
… his hive had so long been replenished with honey …William Wordsworth
… the most replenished villain in the world …William Shakespeare
replenisher noun

Examples of replenish in a Sentence

An efficient staff of workers replenished the trays of appetizers almost as quickly as guests emptied them. He replenished his supply of wood in preparation for the winter. Drink this—you need to replenish your fluids after your hike. plants that replenish soil nutrients
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.
Utilizing a 350-kW DC fast charger, the GV90 can replenish its battery from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes. New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 Consistent recovery, through sleep and other restorative activities, is non-negotiable for replenishing leaders capacities. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The Importance of a Valid Prescription For many contact lens wearers, replenishing their supplies is a routine occurrence rather than an occasional purchase. Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 County Superintendent David Gordon also warned that the withdrawal was not free money, saying the district would eventually need to replenish the trust to cover retiree health costs. Chaewon Chung updated August 27, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replenish

Word History

Etymology

Middle English replenyssen, replenisshen "to fill, provide (with food and drink), populate," borrowed from Anglo-French repleniss-, stem of replenir "to fill, make full, refill" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + -plenir, verbal derivative of plein "full," going back to Latin plēnus — more at full entry 1

Note: In French this verb is apparently derived independently from plenir "to fill" (see plenish), which is attested later and in a very restricted geographical area. In Middle French replenir competed unsuccessfully with remplir, which effectually replaced it in Modern French.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of replenish was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Replenish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replenish. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

replenish

verb
: to make full or complete once more
replenish a supply of fuel
replenisher noun

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