resuscitate

verb

re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtāt 

resuscitated; resuscitating

transitive verb

: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness

also : revitalize

intransitive verb

: come to, revive

resuscitative

ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtā-tiv 

adjective

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.

Synonyms of resuscitate

• revive
• restore
• recreate
• refresh

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

Medics responded to the scene but were unable to resuscitate her. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

But the huge slate of candidates could also prevent a repeat of Clyburn’s success in resuscitating Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Narcan was reportedly administered and paramedics tried to resuscitate her. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Musk’s father, Errol Musk, is interviewed in the film and relates a telling incident in which the family drove by the scene of a man who was being resuscitated by the side of the road. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin resuscitatus, past participle of resuscitare to reawaken, from re- + suscitare to rouse, from sub-, sus- up + citare to put in motion, stir — more at sub-, cite

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for resuscitate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

resuscitate

verb

re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt 

resuscitated; resuscitating

1

: to bring back from apparent death or from unconsciousness

2

: revive sense 1

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