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Synonyms

reanimate

American  
[ree-an-uh-meyt] / ˌriˈæn əˌmeɪt /

verb (used with object)

reanimated, reanimating
  1. to restore to life; resuscitate.

  2. to give fresh vigor, spirit, or courage to.

  3. to stimulate to renewed activity.


reanimate British  
/ riːˈænɪmeɪt /

verb

  1. to refresh or enliven (something) again

    to reanimate their enervated lives

  2. to bring back to life

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • reanimation noun

Etymology

Origin of reanimate

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + animate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of the pleasures here is witnessing both actors reanimate the rhythms of a long-ago conversation, their text absent the typical tidiness of a screenplay and instead an interwoven network of inflection, attitude, allusion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

The flowers seemed to reanimate in the candlelight, blooming and dying with each flicker.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025

More than from McDonagh, Calhoun is taking her inspiration from a long line of Black female novelists — from Toni Morrison to Jesmyn Ward — who reanimate the dead for the sake of the living.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2024

The exhibition endeavors to reanimate these artworks by re-awakening their sensory capacities.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2023

Hazel didn’t think it was so impressive compared to the powers of a guy who could reanimate skeletons and bring people back from the dead, but it felt good to surprise him for a change.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan