resuscitate
verb
re·sus·ci·tate
ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtāt 
resuscitated; resuscitating
: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness
also
: revitalize
Did you know?
The 16th century was a good one for words ending in the suffix -ate. Not only did our featured word, resuscitate, breathe life into the English language but so did the verbs anticipate ("to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to"), eradicate ("to do away with completely"), estimate ("to esteem" or "to appraise"), and perpetuate ("to make perpetual"). It was a good century for words about words, too—vocabulary, quip, and hearsay all premiered as well.
Examples of resuscitate in a Sentence
The patient stopped breathing but doctors were able to resuscitate him.
she hopes to resuscitate the currently defunct charity organization
Recent Examples on the Web
Chest compressions and other lifesaving measures followed in an attempt to resuscitate her.
—
Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The child, who was resuscitated and taken to Norton Children’s Hospital, was reported to have fractures to the occipital skull and ribs, extensive bruising, severe anemia from blood loss and indications of muscle damage and liver and pancreas injuries.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, in the hospital, efforts to resuscitate Good continued.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Still, the snub does little to help GOP lawmakers resuscitate the policy before Democrats wield it against them on the campaign trail.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resuscitate
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Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The child, who was resuscitated and taken to Norton Children’s Hospital, was reported to have fractures to the occipital skull and ribs, extensive bruising, severe anemia from blood loss and indications of muscle damage and liver and pancreas injuries.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, in the hospital, efforts to resuscitate Good continued.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Still, the snub does little to help GOP lawmakers resuscitate the policy before Democrats wield it against them on the campaign trail.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resuscitate
Cite this Entry
“Resuscitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resuscitate. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
resuscitate
verb
re·sus·ci·tate
ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt
resuscitated; resuscitating
1
: to bring back from apparent death or from unconsciousness
2
Medical Definition
resuscitate
transitive verb
re·sus·ci·tate
ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt
resuscitated; resuscitating
: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness
resuscitate a nearly drowned person by artificial respiration
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