revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv 

revived; reviving

intransitive verb

: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again

transitive verb

1

: to restore to consciousness or life

2

: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state : bring back

3

: to renew in the mind or memory

revivable

ri-ˈvī-və-bəl 

adjective

reviver noun

Synonyms

• reanimate
• recharge
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• rekindle
• renew
• resurrect
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revivify
• rewake
• rewaken

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

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

Dating to the 1970s and recently revived in 2022, the regatta channels old-school river culture with a modern twist (this year from July 3–6). —West Virginia Tourism, AFAR Media, 15 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

Craft breweries across the country are quietly redefining what lager can be, reviving old-world techniques with new-world swagger. —Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

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
• survive
• dive
• drive
• five

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)