revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving
Synonyms of revive

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 How to pronounce revive (audio)
adjective
reviver noun

Synonyms of revive

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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
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.
But in the documentary, the couple is shown discussing plans for a new diagnostic venture, with Evans speaking openly about his desire to revive her original ambitions. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Weigand spends much of his time on house calls, reviving cherished heirlooms that have long fallen silent. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 With no questions asked, county commissioners approved the funding agreement for the feature film reviving an ‘80s franchise that glamorized Miami and made a star out of South Beach’s Art Deco vibe. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 Apu is being revived amid a climate of rising anti-South Asian and Indian hate. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of revive was in the 15th century

Rhymes for revive

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Browse Nearby Words

revival meeting
revive
revivement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revive. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

revive

verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
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 How to pronounce revive (audio)
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 How to pronounce revive (audio)
adjective

Legal Definition

revive

transitive verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving
: to restore the force, effect, or validity of (as a contract, will, or action)
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