rehabilitate

[ ree-huh-bil-i-teyt, ree-uh- ]
See synonyms for: rehabilitaterehabilitated on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. to reestablish the good reputation of (a person, one's character or name, etc.).

  2. 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.

Origin of rehabilitate

1
1570–80; <Medieval Latin rehabilitātus, past participle of rehabilitāre to restore. See re-, habilitate

Other words for rehabilitate

Other words from rehabilitate

  • 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rehabilitate in a sentence

  • Here life rehabilitated itself, became wonderful and glorious; and I was glad to be alive.

  • The character of the Templars is not rehabilitated by condemning the conduct of the King and Pope.

  • The witch of history is gone, and can never be rehabilitated—would that superstition had died with her.

    Irish Witchcraft and Demonology | St. John D. (St. John Drelincourt) Seymour
  • The aristocracy has to be rehabilitated in the face of a very strong force of the third estate.

    Parisians in the Country | Honore de Balzac
  • She greeted Pippin pleasantly, admired the rehabilitated potato knife, thought his must be a pleasant trade in summer weather.

    Pippin; A Wandering Flame | Laura E. Richards

British Dictionary definitions for rehabilitate

rehabilitate

/ (ˌriːəˈbɪlɪˌteɪt) /


verb(tr)
  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

  1. to restore the good reputation of

Origin of rehabilitate

1
C16: from Medieval Latin rehabilitāre to restore, from re- + Latin habilitās skill, ability

Derived forms of rehabilitate

  • rehabilitative, adjective

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