revived; reviving
: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again
Business is beginning to revive.
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.
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
For ordinary Venezuelans, the night’s events revived memories of past crises and underscored the country’s vulnerability after a decade of economic collapse, mass emigration and political repression.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The army has long held a dominant role in the country’s politics, though its civilian proxy was roundly defeated in 2020 polls — just before a coup the following year which then revived dormant fighting between the military and myriad ethnic opposition forces.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The Jayhawks hope Kotelnicki can help revive a program that failed to qualify for a bowl in 2024 and 2025.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026
How To Clean Different Door Handle Materials Some materials and finishes may need special cleaners or additional steps to revive their luster.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for revive
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Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The army has long held a dominant role in the country’s politics, though its civilian proxy was roundly defeated in 2020 polls — just before a coup the following year which then revived dormant fighting between the military and myriad ethnic opposition forces.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The Jayhawks hope Kotelnicki can help revive a program that failed to qualify for a bowl in 2024 and 2025.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026
How To Clean Different Door Handle Materials Some materials and finishes may need special cleaners or additional steps to revive their luster.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for revive
Cite this Entry
“Revive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revive. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
: to return to consciousness or life
1
: to restore to consciousness or life
2
: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state
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)
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