redefine standards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "redefine standards" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing changes or improvements in quality, expectations, or benchmarks in various contexts. For example: "The new technology aims to redefine standards in energy efficiency." Alternative expressions include "set new benchmarks" and "establish new criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Modelland's ultimate purpose is to continue to help redefine standards of beauty — no matter what your age, race, body size and so forth.

TechCrunch

Palombo past art series also aim to make political or social statements by portraying Disney Princesses with disabilities to redefine "standards of beauty" and illustrating beloved female cartoons who have been domestically abused by their partners.

Huffington Post

If this study demonstrates reduction in late morbidity with IG-IMRT than it would redefine standards for adjuvant radiation in cervical cancer.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Party officials described the latest charges against Mr. Norman, 52, and Mr. Feldman, 50, as an attempt to redefine standard operating procedure in the bare-knuckled world of local politics as criminal behavior.

The New York Times

The results of the study may redefine standard of care of adjuvant treatment techniques for cervical cancer.

BMJ Open

Randomised phase III studies comparing newer agents with benchmark controls (currently sunitinib for the first line and everolimus for second line) are required to redefine standard therapy.

British Journal of Cancer

The Nokia 1100, introduced in 2003, created a new value equation in developing markets by redefining standards of durability, an area of concern amongst lower-income consumers.

HuffPost

Nearly a century separates me and the women who first redefined standards for what was acceptable for women--the flappers of the 1920s.

Huffington Post

Lately, I've been seeing more media attention than ever directed towards redefining standards of female beauty- from articles on looking great at every age to Jennifer Hudson's turn as Vogue's cover model.

HuffPost

The group is worried these weapons will come to redefine existing standards of cruelty and democracy and undermine legal arrangements, and that existing oversight controls and international humanitarian law is not yet developed enough to adapt.

The Guardian - Tech

It asked Congress to change the law — to amend the War Crimes Act to redefine the standards of Common Article 3. The White House wants to apply an American legal principle, used to prohibit cruel and unusual punishment, that bars treatment that "shocks the conscience". Mr. Bush wants Americans to believe that the language in Common Article 3 is too vague and makes fighting terrorism impossible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when discussing innovation that fundamentally changes how an industry or concept is understood. It is particularly effective in business or social contexts, such as when a new product makes old ones look obsolete.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase if you simply mean lowering or weakening a rule. "redefine standards" usually implies a forward-thinking or visionary shift, whereas a negative change is better described as a "reduction" or "lowering of the bar".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "redefine standards" functions as a transitive verb phrase. In this structure, "redefine" acts as the action while "standards" serves as the direct object. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to describe proactive or revolutionary shifts in quality, ethics or technical requirements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "redefine standards" is a powerful linguistic tool used to denote significant and often positive transformation. Ludwig AI demonstrates that while the phrase is highly versatile, it is most at home in professional and academic environments where benchmarks of excellence are constantly being challenged. Whether discussing the "redefine standards of beauty" in fashion or the "redefine standards of care" in medicine, the phrase carries a weight of authority and progress. Writers should use it to emphasize that a change is not just incremental but foundational, essentially creating a new reality for others to measure themselves against.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set new benchmarks

Focuses on creating a new point of reference for others to follow

establish new criteria

Emphasizes the formal rules or requirements used for evaluation

reshape benchmarks

Suggests a structural change to how things are measured

elevate benchmarks

Specifically suggests raising the level of quality rather than just changing it

modernize standards

Implies bringing outdated rules into alignment with current times

transform expectations

Highlights a shift in what people anticipate rather than the technical standard itself

re-evaluate norms

Indicates a period of critical assessment before making a change

challenge existing norms

Focuses on the act of questioning or defying the current status quo

reimagine established protocols

Suggests a creative or visionary rethink of existing rules

overhaul quality metrics

More technical and indicates a thorough repair or replacement

FAQs

How do I use "redefine standards" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a game-changing event, for example: "The company's new environmental policy aims to "redefine standards" for the entire manufacturing sector."

What is a professional alternative to "redefine standards"?

In a corporate setting, you might prefer to say "set new benchmarks" or "establish new criteria" to sound more precise.

Is "redefine standards" common in scientific writing?

Yes, it is often used when a new study suggests that existing medical or technical guidelines are no longer accurate, effectively needing to "modernize standards".

What is the difference between "redefine standards" and "change standards"?

While both mean the standards are different, "change standards" is neutral, whereas "redefine standards" suggests a deeper, more conceptual transformation of what excellence looks like.