resurrect
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to raise from the dead; bring to life again.
-
to bring back into use, practice, etc..
to resurrect an ancient custom.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to rise or raise from the dead; bring or be brought back to life
-
(tr) to bring back into use or activity; revive
to resurrect an ancient law
-
(tr) to renew (one's hopes, etc)
-
facetious (tr) (formerly) to exhume and steal (a body) from its grave, esp in order to sell it
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of resurrect
First recorded in 1765–75; back formation from resurrection
Explanation
To resurrect is to bring someone back from the dead. You can also resurrect things that are inactive or out of use. If you've ever seen someone bring a dead person back to life in a science fiction or fantasy movie, you saw them resurrect someone. Turning someone into a zombie or vampire is a type of resurrecting, and in the Bible Jesus resurrects Lazurus. Also, this word can apply to any kind of revival. A song can resurrect faded memories. A forgotten project can be resurrected if you start it up again. Resurrecting always involves bringing something back to life.
Vocabulary lists containing resurrect
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for September 11–September 17, 2021
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Roman and Byzantine Empires, Lessons 1–2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Free Lunch
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Some will say that it’s unrealistic to resurrect USAID, that it is never coming back, and that we need to adjust to the new reality.
From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026
Internal talks over transfers are ongoing, while Edwards is expected to resurrect a move for Torino forward Che Adams having failed to land him in the winter window.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
“Could you resurrect a brand? Yes, you could,” said Larry Dominique, a former Stellantis senior vice president who left the company in 2024 after decades in executive and product planning roles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Fortunately, thus far, many of these videos, whether they exploit the living, resurrect the dead or just make stuff up are … less than convincing.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
In fact, as I watched Mara pump the bellows to resurrect the coals, I was never more sure of anything in my whole life.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
