retouch
1 of 2verb
re·touch (ˌ)rē-ˈtəch 
retouched; retouching; retouches
transitive verb
1
: to rework in order to improve : touch up
2
: to alter (something, such as a photographic negative) to produce a more desirable appearance
3
: to color (new growth of hair) to match previously dyed, tinted, or bleached hair
intransitive verb
: to make or give retouches
retoucher noun
retouch
2 of 2noun
re·touch ˈrē-ˌtəch
(ˌ)rē-ˈtəch
: the act or process or an instance of retouching
especially : the retouching of a new growth of hair
Example Sentences
Verb The photo had been retouched to remove the wrinkles around his eyes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fortune, 3 Dec. 2021 Interestingly, these negative outcomes occurred even when allowing participants to retake and retouch their photos. Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2021 De la Cruz has no plans to retouch the mural, which will be affected over time due to its proximity to the ocean. San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2021 Almost all of the original artists from last year returned to retouch the mural. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 June 2021 Normally, chemical hair relaxers have to be retouched every four to six weeks, and going two months between touch-ups can lead to hair breakage, Smith said. Julie Washington, cleveland, 1 June 2020 Keep It Chic To file under no surprise, the royal engagement photos were retouched, albeit minimally. Joyann King, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Dec. 2010 Like with this picture, this is actually a campaign shot and it was retouched. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2020 Self-love, authenticity, and body positivity have been core tenants of the Aerie brand for years, beginning with their pledge to stop retouching their imagery back in 2014. Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, 25 Jan. 2020 Amina Ayoud, Allure, 23 Mar. 2022 The painting has undergone many retouches and restorations in the past and some of the later additions are starting to fade. Washington Post, 8 July 2019 The painting has undergone many retouches and restorations in the past and some of the later additions are starting to fade. Aleksandar Furtula, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2019 Advertising everything from auto shops and grocers to bars and chapels, Carey's work started from a simple commercial core (NextCity profiled him in 2017, noting Carey would even offer retouches to businesses for $10 or $15). Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, 23 Nov. 2018 To start, Sheriff used Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r instant retouch primer. Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, 4 Mar. 2018 See More
Verb
Stalin was known to retouch photos and cut out images of his enemies. Fortune, 3 Dec. 2021 Interestingly, these negative outcomes occurred even when allowing participants to retake and retouch their photos. Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2021 De la Cruz has no plans to retouch the mural, which will be affected over time due to its proximity to the ocean. San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2021 Almost all of the original artists from last year returned to retouch the mural. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 June 2021 Normally, chemical hair relaxers have to be retouched every four to six weeks, and going two months between touch-ups can lead to hair breakage, Smith said. Julie Washington, cleveland, 1 June 2020 Keep It Chic To file under no surprise, the royal engagement photos were retouched, albeit minimally. Joyann King, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Dec. 2010 Like with this picture, this is actually a campaign shot and it was retouched. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2020 Self-love, authenticity, and body positivity have been core tenants of the Aerie brand for years, beginning with their pledge to stop retouching their imagery back in 2014. Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, 25 Jan. 2020 Noun
That's why Moore suggests going into the salon for a root retouch every four to eight weeks to maintain color vibrancy. Amina Ayoud, Allure, 23 Mar. 2022 The painting has undergone many retouches and restorations in the past and some of the later additions are starting to fade. Washington Post, 8 July 2019 The painting has undergone many retouches and restorations in the past and some of the later additions are starting to fade. Aleksandar Furtula, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2019 Advertising everything from auto shops and grocers to bars and chapels, Carey's work started from a simple commercial core (NextCity profiled him in 2017, noting Carey would even offer retouches to businesses for $10 or $15). Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, 23 Nov. 2018 To start, Sheriff used Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r instant retouch primer. Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, 4 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
French retoucher, from Middle French, from re- + toucher to touch
First Known Use
Verb
circa 1650, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1703, in the meaning defined above
retouched
verb
as in polished
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- polished
- edited
- reworked
- revised
- touched up
- honed
- reinforced
- refurbished
- intensified
- redrafted
- fined
- refined
- rectified
- corrected
- rehabilitated
- improved
- revamped
- strengthened
- emended
- fortified
- reenforced
- remediated
- upgraded
- remedied
- rehabbed
- fine-tuned
- enhanced
- amended
- ameliorated
- boosted
- enriched
- reformed
- perfected
- beefed (up)
- bettered
- meliorated
- helped
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- damaged
- worsened
- harmed
- disfigured
- defaced
- injured
- hurt
- impaired
- spoiled
- reduced
- marred
- spoilt
- tarnished
- vitiated
- flawed
- diminished
- blemished
- blighted
- lowered
- endamaged
- lessened