restore

verb

re·​store ri-ˈstȯr 

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

Synonyms

• freshen
• recharge
• recreate
• refresh
• refreshen
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• renew
• repair
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify

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

But, thanks to her mother using DIY rice water treatments in her hair, Twine’s tresses were restored over time. —Tira Urquhart, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024

Stored for decades in shipping containers left moldering in Texas, Luna Luna was purchased and partially restored by an entrepreneurial team that includes the mega-rich rapper Drake. —Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024

Caldwell has worked on restoring the space in the four years he’s owned it between the Justice and Dignity Center’s food distribution and counseling programs. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

The Sierra Club has sued the SEC to restore stricter emissions reporting requirements proposed in its draft rule from February 2022 that align with mandates from Europe. —Edmund Downie, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024

Neil Young, the musician who was most vocal in his criticism of comments on The Joe Rogan Experience related to the covid-19 vaccines, also restored his music to the leading subscription music service earlier this month. —Chris Welch, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024

The link was restored after five hours, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X, formerly Twitter. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024

The multiemployer aid package rescued the pensions and restored the benefits of current and future retirees, even retroactively. —Mark Miller, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

The actors swap places, and once reality-of-a-sort is restored, Olfa begins to cry. —Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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