reauthorize

verb

re·​au·​tho·​rize (ˌ)rē-ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz How to pronounce reauthorize (audio)
reauthorized; reauthorizing; reauthorizes

transitive verb

: to authorize (something or someone) again
especially : to renew the authority or effective legal power, warrant, or right of
called for Congress to reauthorize the Clean Water Act
Since passage, each law has been amended or "reauthorized," a confusing process under which existing statutes are reenacted with new language. Gregg Easterbrook
reauthorization noun
plural reauthorizations
Congressional leaders are expected to continue negotiating a long-term reauthorization of the program in the coming weeks. Mike Debonis

Examples of reauthorize in a Sentence

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.
Other states have reauthorized the use of electric chairs, while Alabama last year started executing people using nitrogen gas. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 Clarke keeps a framed copy of the statement issued by Bush in July 2006 when Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act in her office. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025 But in March 2024, lawmakers reauthorized PEPFAR for only one year, hindering service-provider operations from planning for long-term priorities. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025 Usually, the program is reauthorized for five years but, in 2024, it was only reauthorized for one year. Fatma Tanis, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reauthorize 

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reauthorize was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near reauthorize

Cite this Entry

“Reauthorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reauthorize. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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