re-form

The soldiers re-form their ranks after the drill.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To form again: "re-form" means to shape, arrange, or create something anew, especially after it has been broken, disbanded, or changed.
   • To reorganize a military unit: Specifically used in military contexts to mean to bring troops back into a structured formation after dispersal.
   • To gather or assemble again: For groups or individuals to come together once more after being separated.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • After the storm, the team had to re-form their ranks to continue the march. (To shape or organize the group again.)
  • The soldiers were ordered to re-form after the charge. (To reassemble into a military formation.)
  • The committee decided to re-form after the scandal. (To reorganize or create a new version of the group.)

Advanced Usage

• "to re-form a habit": to start practicing a habit again after it had been abandoned.

  • She tried to re-form her morning exercise routine after the holidays. (To re-establish a habit.)

• "to re-form a government": to establish a new government, often after a collapse or election.

  • The coalition parties agreed to re-form the government. (To create a new government structure.)

• "to re-form an opinion": to change or revise one’s viewpoint.

  • After hearing the evidence, he had to re-form his opinion on the matter. (To adjust or reshape a belief.)

Variants and Related Words

• Reformation (n): the act of forming again or improving something.

  • The reformation of the company’s policies was necessary. (The process of reshaping or improving.)

• Reform (v/n): to make changes to improve something (note: "reform" is different from "re-form" — "reform" implies improvement, while "re-form" implies simply forming again).

  • The government decided to reform the education system. (To improve it, not just form it again.)

• Form (v/n): to shape, create, or arrange.

  • They will form a new committee next week. (To create or organize.)

Synonyms

• Reassemble: to come together again.
• Reorganize: to arrange in a new structure.
• Reconstitute: to restore or form again.

Phrasal Verbs

• Re-form into: to change shape or structure into something else.

  • The crowd re-formed into a single line. (The group rearranged itself into a line.)

• Re-form around: to gather or shape again around a central point.

  • The protesters re-formed around the monument. (They reassembled near that location.)

Related Idioms

• Break and re-form: a phrase meaning to destroy and then rebuild.

  • The team had to break and re-form their strategy after the loss. (Discard the old plan and create a new one.)

• Form again: a literal equivalent of "re-form".

  • After the break, the class formed again in the hallway. (They gathered once more.)