restore

verb

re·​store ri-ˈstȯr 

restored; restoring

transitive verb

1

: give back, return

The police restored the stolen backpack to its owner.

2

: to put or bring back into existence or use

Surgery will restore his hearing.

3

: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : renew

restore an old house

4

: to put again in possession of something

restored the king to the throne

restorer noun

Synonyms of restore

• revive
• recreate
• refresh
• renew
• renovate

Choose the Right Synonym for restore

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of restore in a Sentence

The police restored law and order.

The government needs to restore confidence in the economy.

an antique car that is being carefully restored

Recent Examples on the Web

The wins over Villa and Madrid were achieved with Andy Robertson restored at left-back, at the expense of new signing Milos Kerkez, and with Dominik Szoboszlai bringing more balance and physical presence by reprising last season’s advanced-midfield role. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025

Colin Clive played Henry Frankenstein in the 1931 film, while Isaac restores the character’s true name, Victor, in the 2025 adaptation. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

Poaching and human conflict had decimated the wildlife until a huge regenerative conservation project restored the animal population back to its former glory. —Elizabeth Gordon, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025

Spears’ previous posts on Instagram were also restored in addition to her new post Saturday. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restoren "to make restitution, return, heal, return to health, replace, restock," borrowed from Anglo-French restorer, restaurer (also continental Old French), borrowed from Latin restaurāre "to return to its former condition, bring back into existence," alteration, by suffix substitution, of instaurāre "to start afresh (an interrupted rite), take up again, restore" (probably after instituere "to set into being, establish" : restituere "to set up again, restore") — more at store entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for restore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

restore

verb

re·​store ri-ˈstō(ə)r 

-ˈstȯ(ə)r

restored; restoring

1

: return entry 1 sense 5

restored the purse to its owner

2

: to put or bring back into existence or use

restore harmony after an argument

3

: to bring back to or put back into an earlier or original state

restore an old house

4

: to put again in possession of something

restore the king to the throne

restorable

-ˈstōr-ə-bəl

-ˈstȯr-

adjective

restorer noun

Medical Definition

restore

transitive verb

re·​store ri-ˈstō(ə)r, -ˈstȯ(ə)r 

restored; restoring

: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state

a tooth restored with an inlay