revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv 

revived; reviving

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

ri-ˈvī-və-bəl 

adjective

reviver noun

Synonyms of revive

• resurrect
• renew

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

Advertisement For many who work in climate, this season of extremes has revived the longstanding prediction that the effects of rising global temperatures will help drive a resurgence in concern among policymakers and the general public. — Justin Worland, Time, 18 July 2026

But John Sugar has revived him just in time to fake another death. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Obama later axed the program, but it was revived by Trump during his first term in office. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2026

The same number of stars will be in the league, and better dispersing them throughout all 30 markets could help revive interest across the country. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

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

Rhymes for revive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• khedive
• survive
• dive
• drive

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)