rehabilitate

re·ha·bil·i·tate

verb \ˌrē-ə-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt, ˌrē-hə-\

re·ha·bil·i·tat·edre·ha·bil·i·tat·ing

Definition of REHABILITATE

transitive verb

1

a : to restore to a former capacity : reinstate b : to restore to good repute : reestablish the good name of

2

a : to restore to a former state (as of efficiency, good management, or solvency) <rehabilitate slum areas> b : to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity

— re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion \-ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən\ noun

— re·ha·bil·i·ta·tive \-ˈbi-lə-ˌtā-tiv\ adjective

— re·ha·bil·i·ta·tor \-ˌtā-tər\ noun

Examples of REHABILITATE

1. The clinic rehabilitates drug addicts.
2. He's still rehabilitating the knee he injured last summer.
3. They try to rehabilitate horses that have suffered injuries.
4. The program is intended to rehabilitate criminals.
5. The country has rehabilitated its image since the war.
6. The city plans to rehabilitate its slum areas.

Origin of REHABILITATE

Medieval Latin rehabilitatus, past participle of rehabilitare, from Latin re- + Late Latin habilitare to habilitate

First Known Use: circa 1581

Related to REHABILITATE

Synonyms: habilitate, reclaim, redeem, regenerate, reform

Related Words: reeducate; amend, improve, refine; cleanse, purify, restore

Near Antonyms: abase, canker, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lower, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with REHABILITATE

circumambulate, circumnavigate, contraindicate, decontaminate, deteriorate, differentiate, disambiguate, disassociate, discombobulate, disorientate, disproportionate, excommunicate, expiration date, free-associate, hyperventilate, incapacitate, intermediate, interpenetrate, misappropriate, multivariate, overcompensate, overpopulate, ratiocinate, recapitulate, renegotiate, superannuate, supersaturate, transubstantiate, underestimate