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 trio includes colorful masks to restore, firm, and revitalize the under-eye area in a matter of minutes. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

After the freeze of nearly $800 million in federal research funds, the deal’s resolution both restores essential support for academic research and institutes new requirements intended to bolster anti-discrimination efforts—especially against anti-Semitism. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Earlier this month, Cornell University, also targeted with a federal funding freeze, agreed to pay $30 million to the government and invest an equal amount into agricultural research to restore $250 million in frozen grant money. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Nov. 2025

Although Yermak was not accused of any wrongdoing, several senior lawmakers in Zelenskyy's party said Yermak should take responsibility for the debacle in order to restore public trust. —Arkansas Online, 29 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