revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv 

revived; reviving

intransitive verb

: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again

transitive verb

1

: to restore to consciousness or life

2

: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state : bring back

3

: to renew in the mind or memory

revivable

ri-ˈvī-və-bəl 

adjective

reviver noun

Synonyms

• reanimate
• recharge
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• rekindle
• renew
• resurrect
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revivify
• rewake
• rewaken

Examples of revive in a Sentence

The success of the movie has revived her career.

The government is trying to revive the economy.

Our spirits were revived by his enthusiasm.

The store's business is beginning to revive.

The family is trying to revive an old custom.

He has decided to revive Molière's Tartuffe.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2016, it was revived as Black Music Honors to be part of Black Music Month celebrations. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024

In a return to 1970s and 80s style, the brand revived a tradition of offering the Ellipse on a supple chain bracelet. —Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024

The ensuing uproar revived Ms. Daniels’s negotiations with The Enquirer. —Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

Biden later revived the deals to win West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin’s support for the 2022 climate law. —Matthew Brown, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Its subsequent bloody campaign in Gaza has revived support for the Palestinian cause both in the region and around the world. —Afshon Ostovar, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024

So at least for now, prospects of reviving the idea of a peace deal seem very slim. —Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024

Chance Barrett, a systems engineer in Orlando, said the weekend attack in the Middle East will indirectly be an issue for him given the likelihood of U.S. lawmakers reviving an aid package to assist Israel and other allies. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

This separatism perverts the mid-20th-century struggle for recognition merely to revive memories of injustice and attitudes of resentment about the inequality that has largely been overcome. —Armond White, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French revivre, from Latin revivere to live again, from re- + vivere to live — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv 

revived; reviving

1

: to make (someone or something) strong, active, or healthy again

2

: to bring back into use or popularity

trying to revive an old custom

reviver noun

Medical Definition

revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv 

revived; reviving

intransitive verb

: to return to consciousness or life

transitive verb

1

: to restore to consciousness or life

2

: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state

revivable

-ˈvī-və-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

revive

transitive verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv 

revived; reviving

: to restore the force, effect, or validity of (as a contract, will, or action)