reexamine
C1Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To examine or consider something again, especially with more attention or after a lapse of time.
To review, reconsider, or scrutinize something a second or further time, often in light of new evidence, perspectives, or changes in context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, often critical, second look. Suggests an initial examination may have been insufficient, incorrect, or outdated. Often used in legal, academic, and professional contexts where evidence or arguments are reviewed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses the hyphenated form 're-examine', while American English strongly prefers the closed form 'reexamine'. The meaning and usage are identical.
Connotations
None beyond the orthographic difference.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American legal and academic texts due to the preference for the closed form simplifying writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] reexamine [Object]It is time/necessary to reexamine [Object][Object] needs/must/requires to be reexaminedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this verb]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board decided to reexamine the merger strategy after the market shifted.
Academic
The new discovery forced historians to reexamine the causes of the conflict.
Everyday
We should reexamine our holiday plans now that the flight's been cancelled.
Technical
The engineer had to reexamine the simulation parameters to find the error.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will re-examine the proposal next quarter.
- After the scandal, MPs called for the evidence to be re-examined.
American English
- The court agreed to reexamine the witness.
- We must reexamine our priorities in light of the budget cuts.
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare, not standard]
American English
- [Extremely rare, not standard]
adjective
British English
- The re-examined data yielded a different conclusion.
- She submitted a re-examined application.
American English
- The reexamined contract was finally signed.
- He presented reexamined figures to the auditor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher said I should reexamine my answer to question five.
- Let's reexamine the map; I think we're lost.
- In light of the new scientific study, we need to reexamine our previous assumptions about the diet.
- The lawyer requested permission to reexamine the key witness.
- The recent economic crisis has compelled policymakers to fundamentally reexamine the tenets of neoliberal theory.
- A truly critical historian must constantly reexamine the sources and their own interpretive frameworks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE + EXAMINE'. You have to take an EXAM again. You are putting something back under the microscope for a second look.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVESTIGATION IS A JOURNEY ('go back over the ground'), THINKING IS SEEING ('take a second look'), JUDGMENT IS WEIGHING ('re-weigh the evidence').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque like 'пере-исследовать'. Common translations are 'пересмотреть', 'заново рассмотреть', 'повторно изучить'.
- Do not confuse with 'переэкзаменовать' (to retake an exam), which is a false friend.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'reexamin' (missing final 'e').
- Using it without an object (intransitive) is rare and incorrect, e.g., 'We need to reexamine.' (What?)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'reexamine' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Reexamine' implies a more thorough, critical, or formal second analysis, often suggesting the first was flawed. 'Review' is broader and can be a routine check or summary.
In British English, it is often used to avoid the double 'e' (re-examine). In American English, following Chicago Manual of Style guidelines, 'reexamine' is standard as the combination is clear and readable.
Yes, especially in legal contexts (reexamine a witness) or medical contexts (reexamine a patient). It generally means to question or assess them again.
The most common noun is 'reexamination' (or 're-examination').
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