retell

verb

re·​tell (ˌ)rē-ˈtel How to pronounce retell (audio)
retold (ˌ)rē-ˈtōld How to pronounce retell (audio) ; retelling

transitive verb

1
: to tell again or in another form
2
: to count again

Examples of retell in a Sentence

The movie retells the story of Romeo and Juliet.
Recent Examples on the Web Netanyahu's language referenced the Egyptian pharoah's biblical refusal to free the enslaved Israelites, a story Jewish people all over the world will retell during holiday meals. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 21 Apr. 2024 And lately, Russian commentators have taken to retelling the tale of Alexander Nevsky, who in the thirteenth century reigned as prince of Novgorod, one of the states folded into Muscovy, the precursor to imperial Russia. Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024 The Bible instructs Jews to retell the story of Esther each Purim. Esther Brownsmith, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024 The company said that the new film will creatively retell the story of Nak, who died during the reign of King Rama III (1824-51). Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Carney’s memorandum retold Laube’s sad life and contained stills from Laube’s attack on Tristan. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024 The left half of the clip was taken during the game’s opening hours that retell the infamous Nibelheim incident that takes place five years before the events of Rebirth. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024 The play retells Gareth Southgate’s transformational leadership of the England team. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024 Across the world, Jews retell the story of Queen Esther in lavish spectacles, called Purim spiels, that feature costumes, jokes, satire, noisemakers and food and wine. Esther Brownsmith, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retell was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near retell

Cite this Entry

“Retell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retell. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

retell

verb
re·​tell rē-ˈtel How to pronounce retell (audio)
retold -ˈtōld How to pronounce retell (audio) ; retelling
1
: to tell again or in another form
2
: to count again
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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