restore

1
2
as in to return
to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place restored the trophy to its proper place at the center of the shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb restore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of restore are refresh, rejuvenate, renew, and renovate. While all these words mean "to make like new," restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

When would refresh be a good substitute for restore?

The words refresh and restore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is rejuvenate a more appropriate choice than restore?

While the synonyms rejuvenate and restore are close in meaning, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When might renew be a better fit than restore?

The words renew and restore can be used in similar contexts, but renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

When is it sensible to use renovate instead of restore?

The meanings of renovate and restore largely overlap; however, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of restore The senior military officer who led the visit to Jenin said Israeli forces were demolishing militant infrastructure like tunnels, weapons caches, and manufacturing sites, rejecting suggestions that Israel was pursuing goals beyond restoring security. Fatima Abdulkarim Afif Amireh, New York Times, 8 May 2025 If this session could make FY 27 and FY 28 cuts on paper, education advocates must spend the next year working tirelessly to restore every dollar. Timothy Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025 The boat has been fully restored and made electric, and Captain Arnold whisks guests off for nearby adventures in the Duivendrechtse Polder for farm visits or the impossibly charming fishing village of Durgerdam for lunch at De Mark Restaurant. Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025 Abe pledged to cut bureaucracy, increase productivity, modernize labor markets, make the public and private sectors more meritocratic, empower women and restore Tokyo’s place as the center of Asian finance. William Pesek, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for restore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restore
Verb
  • Funding for Trump’s mass deportation operation The legislation would provide $46.5 billion to revive construction of Trump’s wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and more money for the deportation agenda.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • This recent development, in which NASA engineers revived Voyager 1's long-dormant backup thrusters, marks yet another remarkable feat of engineering and offers another lifeline for the aging spacecraft.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Players returning from the 2024-25 roster are: Flory Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell and Noah Shelby.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
  • The Death Row legend returned on Thursday (May 14) with his 21st studio album, Iz It a Crime?
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hansen is exiting the band, but the '70s rockers found a familiar face to replace him.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Teams deemed the valve needed to be replaced and the rocket needed to be rolled back from the pad to Boeing’s Vertical Integration Facility.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Clean out the dust and refresh thermal paste: Older desktops tend to overheat, which can slow things down or cause random shutdowns.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
  • The sculptural and scalloped look—covered in soft pleats—was refreshed for the modern-day, and required 250 hours of work.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The Sacramento City Unified School District board voted 6-0 to allow St. Hope Public School 7 and Sacramento Charter High School to renew their charters.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
  • Warner encourages renewing the sense of and appreciation for the human.
    Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • The adjacent Nizwa Castle traces back to the 9th century and was expanded by ruling imams (religious and political leaders) in the centuries since and renovated in the 1990s.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • While his wife stayed on the mainland with their son, Irvine took on the task of renovating their new island home.
    Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restore. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on restore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!