restitute

verb

res·​ti·​tute ˈre-stə-ˌtüt How to pronounce restitute (audio)
-ˌtyüt
restituted; restituting

transitive verb

1
: to restore to a former state or position
2
: give back
especially : refund

Examples of restitute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2023 and 2024, for example, five museums restituted works to the heirs, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Catherine Hickley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 Turkey, by the way, is among the world’s laggards in restituting anything. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 5 Oct. 2024 Back in 2007, the Netherlands restituted Isaac van Ostade’s Unloading the Hay Wagon to the heirs of John and Anna Jaffé. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 The Washington Principles were drafted with the intent of also covering private collections, but there has been far less progress in restituting work now held by individuals, the report found. Carlie Porterfield, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for restitute

Word History

Etymology

Latin restitutus, past participle of restituere

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restitute was circa 1500

Cite this Entry

“Restitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restitute. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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