# rethink

/ɹiˈθɪŋk/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rethink
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to reconsider

verb · CEFR B2

to think about something again to decide if you should change it.

For teachers: to reconsider a previous decision or plan, often in response to new information or a failure.

- The company had to rethink its strategy after sales fell in the first quarter.
- The sudden shift in market regulations forced the board to rethink their entire expansion project before committing further capital.

Usage: Often used when a previous plan has encountered problems.

### 2. a reconsideration

noun · CEFR B2

the act of thinking about something again to make changes.

For teachers: an instance of reconsidering a policy or idea, often leading to a significant change in direction.

- The government's new tax plan needs a major rethink.
- After the pilot programme failed to meet its targets, the department underwent a fundamental rethink of its service delivery model.

## Examples

- The project needs a total rethink.
- After the initial marketing campaign failed to attract customers, the team decided a complete rethink of the brand was necessary.
- The sudden shift in global trade policy forced a fundamental rethink of the company's long-term manufacturing strategy and supply chain logistics.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.