revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving
Synonyms of revivenext

intransitive verb

: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again
Business is beginning to revive.

transitive verb

1
: to restore to consciousness, life, or healthy condition
doctors trying to revive a patient
Water revived the wilting flowers.
2
: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state : bring back
The movie revived her career.
3
: to renew in the mind or memory
Visiting the old house revived childhood memories.
revivable adjective
reviver noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The race could revive a pandemic-era rivalry between Kiley and Pan, who tussled over vaccine and public health rules while serving in the state Legislature. Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 The Iran conflict has muddied expectations of imminent US Federal Reserve rate cuts, with rising oil prices reviving inflation fears and forcing investors to reassess how quickly the Fed can ease policy. Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026 Residents' routines are shaped by caution and vigilance, and QueenEr'Re's death revived longstanding questions about safety and the city's efforts to address violence. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026 Then in 1932, Douglas MacArthur revived it in honor of Washington's bicentennial and renamed the award the Purple Heart. Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of revive was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revive. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

revive

verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
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 How to pronounce revive (audio)
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 adjective

Legal Definition

revive

transitive verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving
: to restore the force, effect, or validity of (as a contract, will, or action)

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