restore

verb re·store \ ri-ˈstȯr \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: restore in a Sentence

Definition of restore

restored; restoring

transitive verb

1 : give back, return

2 : to put or bring back into existence or use

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

4 : to put again in possession of something

—

restorer

noun

See restore defined for English-language learners

See restore defined for kids

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 of restore from the Web

And still, we are never restored to the picture on the box, no promises get kept.

— brittany allen, Longreads, "Getting Tricked by Helen DeWitt," 9 July 2018
Six teens worked with leaders to help restore a bank of Campbell Creek near Minnesota Drive in Anchorage on Thursday.

— marc lester, Anchorage Daily News, "Campbell Creek restoration puts teens to work," 6 July 2018
Bulgari's commitment to helping restore Rome's riches is now literally set in stone, while ensuring the brand's lifeblood continues to flow.

— alice b-b, A-LIST, "No Place Like Rome," 4 July 2018
Cleaning the exterior with apple cider vinegar and baking soda will help restore the shine.

— nicole spector /, NBC News, "The kitchen is the germiest room. Here's how to deep clean everything.," 3 July 2018
The property, which consists of the 17th century Villa, farmhouse, and limonaia (AKA greenhouse for growing citrus), lies just outside the town of Cortona in Italy and was restored in 2006.

— taylor mead, House Beautiful, "Yes, You Can Now Rent The Villa From Under The Tuscan Sun," 25 June 2018
The former practiced medicine in the suburbs of Massachusetts; the latter, after working in marketing for Renault’s racing division, claimed his birthright as a chatelain and spent decades restoring Baronville.

— lauren collins, The New Yorker, "A Facebook Invite to a French Château," 24 June 2018
To raise funds to repaint the mural and help restore other Chicano murals in the area, a group of local activists going by the name Restorative Justice for the Arts have launched a GoFundMe campaign and have begun rallying the local community.

— ethan varian, Los Angeles Magazine, "Activists Are Fighting to Preserve Highland Park’s Remaining Chicano Murals," 20 June 2018
Investigators have restored 16 pages of documents found in Cohen’s shredder and recovered 731 pages of messages sent on encrypted platforms, including WhatsApp and Signal.

— bob van voris, Bloomberg.com, "Cohen Investigators Restore Encrypted Messages, 16 Pages From His Shredder," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'restore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of restore

Middle English, from Anglo-French restorer, from Latin restaurare to renew, rebuild, alteration of instaurare to renew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

restore Synonyms

Synonyms

freshen, recharge, recreate, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, repair, resuscitate, revitalize, revive;

refill, replenish, resupply;

modernize, update;

Synonym Discussion of 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

RESTORE Defined for English Language Learners

restore

verb

Definition of restore for English Language Learners

: to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something)
: to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
: to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.