resuscitate

verb

re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtāt 

resuscitated; resuscitating

transitive verb

: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness

also : revitalize

intransitive verb

: come to, revive

resuscitative

ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtā-tiv 

adjective

Did you know?

The 16th century was a good one for words ending in the suffix -ate. Not only did our featured word, resuscitate, breathe life into the English language but so did the verbs anticipate ("to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to"), eradicate ("to do away with completely"), estimate ("to esteem" or "to appraise"), and perpetuate ("to make perpetual"). It was a good century for words about words, too—vocabulary, quip, and hearsay all premiered as well.

Synonyms

• freshen
• recharge
• recreate
• refresh
• refreshen
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• renew
• repair
• restore
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify

Examples of resuscitate in a Sentence

The patient stopped breathing but doctors were able to resuscitate him.

she hopes to resuscitate the currently defunct charity organization

Recent Examples on the Web

The girl was rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital, but doctors were unable to resuscitate her. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025

Officers attempted to resuscitate Joss, but he was pronounced dead when EMS arrived. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 June 2025

Bystanders and park service personnel found his body on the Bright Angel Trail on June 16 but were unable to resuscitate him. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 24 May 2025

During Wednesday’s surgery Agudelo’s heart stopped, and doctors had to resuscitate her, Rodas said. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin resuscitatus, past participle of resuscitare to reawaken, from re- + suscitare to rouse, from sub-, sus- up + citare to put in motion, stir — more at sub-, cite

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for resuscitate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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Kids Definition

resuscitate

verb

re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt 

resuscitated; resuscitating

1

: to bring back from apparent death or from unconsciousness

2

: revive sense 1

Medical Definition

resuscitate

transitive verb

re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt 

resuscitated; resuscitating

: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness

resuscitate a nearly drowned person by artificial respiration