rehabilitate

[ ree-huh-bil-i-teyt, ree-uh- ]

verb (used with object)

, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

1. to restore to a condition of good health, ability to work, or the like.
2. to restore to good condition, operation, or management, as a bankrupt business.

   Synonyms: refurbish, reconstruct, recondition, restore, salvage

3. to reestablish the good reputation of (a person, one's character or name, etc.).
4. to restore formally to former capacity, standing, rank, rights, or privileges.

verb (used without object)

, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

1. to undergo rehabilitation.

rehabilitate

/ ˌriːəˈbɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to help (a person who has acquired a disability or addiction or who has just been released from prison) to readapt to society or a new job, as by vocational guidance, retraining, or therapy
2. to restore to a former position or rank
3. to restore the good reputation of

Derived Forms

• ˌrehaˈbilitative, adjective

Other Words From

• reha·bili·tation noun
• reha·bili·tative adjective
• reha·bili·tator noun
• nonre·ha·bili·tation noun
• nonre·ha·bili·tative adjective
• unre·ha·bili·tated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rehabilitate¹

1570–80; < Medieval Latin rehabilitātus, past participle of rehabilitāre to restore. See re-, habilitate

Word History and Origins

Origin of rehabilitate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin rehabilitāre to restore, from re- + Latin habilitās skill, ability

Example Sentences

“They would be forced to continue this kind of relationship as part of their treatment, as a way that they could prove to the state that they had rehabilitated their character, their work ethic, that they were able to leave institutions,” Catte said.

From Washington Post

Once the turtles are rehabilitated in the coming months, Riley said, they will be released to where they were found.

From Washington Post

The sheriff’s departments have a duty to provide care and to rehabilitate those individuals who walk through their doors.

From ProPublica

The 28-year-old guard, who was a two-time all-star with the Indiana Pacers, needs to rehabilitate his reputation and market value after two injury-plagued seasons and a forgettable stint with the Rockets.

From Washington Post

The goal, Metro staff said in a proposal that board members will review Thursday, is to “improve system safety, state of good repair and reliability” while also rehabilitating and modernizing the rail system.

From Washington Post

"I did all the work to get my fastball back, to rehabilitate my shoulder," he says.

From The Daily Beast

To rehabilitate his battered public image, he needs to do more than take selfies on the steps of City Hall.

From The Daily Beast

This is clearly a step by Zimmerman to rehabilitate his image so he can hopefully profit off his fame down the line.

From The Daily Beast

The only good news for Rubio is that his immigration gambit occurred early enough for him to rehabilitate and recover.

From The Daily Beast

Punishment should be enough to deter, to punish, and in the case of incorrigibles, to rehabilitate.

From The Daily Beast

Cardinal Wiseman, in his beautiful tale of Fabiola, attempts to rehabilitate the primitive ages in the garb of modern Romanism.

From Project Gutenberg

It did not seem so bad; if Chicoutimi was no worse he could live there well enough till he could rehabilitate himself.

From Project Gutenberg

That Yankee phrase did more to rehabilitate her than all his assurances.

From Project Gutenberg

He could never rehabilitate himself among decent men and women.

From Project Gutenberg

We are in the humour to rehabilitate all things, and pinchbeck has now its turn with the rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fix up
• improve
• mend
• rebuild
• reclaim
• reconstruct
• recover
• reestablish
• refurbish
• reintegrate
• reinvigorate
• rejuvenate
• restore
• save