Repurpose

v.capable, hopefulprofessional

What it means

To adapt something for a useful new purpose.

Reach for it when describing the creative adaptation of an existing object, place, or material to a useful new role

The class will repurpose old jars as seed containers.

playful
upcycle
when discarded material gains higher value
not when Upcycle is informal and claims an increase in value.
everyday
reuse
when using an item again, unchanged, is enough
not when Reuse does not imply a new purpose.
professional
adapt
when altering something to fit changed needs is central
not when Adapt can preserve the original purpose.
professional
convert
when form or function changes substantially
not when Convert can imply permanent replacement of the old use.
professional
reassign
when a resource receives a new designated role
not when Reassign suits duties better than physical adaptation.
professional
redeploy
when people or equipment move to another task
not when Redeploy sounds organizational and may not alter the resource.
professional
rework
when material or a draft is worked again
not when Rework improves or changes something without necessarily giving it a new role.
professional
salvage
when useful value is saved from waste or damage
not when Salvage does not guarantee a different purpose.
formal
transform
when the change is extensive and visible
not when Transform overstates a modest new use.

repurpose a building
The town will repurpose a building as a winter clinic.
repurpose old materials
Students repurpose old materials into sturdy display stands.
creatively repurpose
The gardeners creatively repurpose broken tiles as path markers.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.