reeducate

or re-ed·u·cate

[ ree-ej-oo-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·ed·u·cat·ed, re·ed·u·cat·ing.

1. to educate again, as for new purposes:

   Companies are reeducating some of the traditional energy sector workforce to pivot to new careers in green energy or technology.

2. to rehabilitate or reform through education, training, indoctrination, etc.:

   If the state invests in reeducating inmates, a combination of vocational programs and counseling could lower recidivism.

3. to rehabilitate after injury or illness for resumption of activities, as with physical therapy, assistive devices, or adaptive equipment:

   Electrical stimulation may reeducate contractions of the quadriceps.

Other Words From

• re·ed·u·ca·tion [ree--ej-, oo, -, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• re·ed·u·ca·tive [ree-, ej, -, oo, -key-tiv], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reeducate¹

First recorded in 1800–10; re- + educate

Example Sentences

“When we tried to voice our concerns to the athletic department, we were told that Lia’s swimming and being in our locker room was a non-negotiable,” she said, “and we were offered psychological services to attempt to reeducate us to become comfortable with the idea of undressing in front of a male.”

From Washington Times

Among other measures, it promised to reeducate nurses on how to prevent blood clots.

From Los Angeles Times

“I will take all the responsibility and call off all my performances to deeply reflect and reeducate myself,” said Mr. Li, who uses the stage name “House” and reportedly has 136,000 followers on Weibo.

From Washington Times

To this day it remains the only known treatment that can permanently reeducate the immune system.

From Scientific American

“Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn. The reality of substantial investment to assist Negroes into the twentieth century, adjusting to Negro neighbors and genuine school integration, is still a nightmare for all too many white Americans.”

From Los Angeles Times