restore

[ ri-stawr, -stohr ]

verb (used with object)

, re·stored, re·stor·ing.

1. to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish:

   to restore order.

2. to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.

   Synonyms: mend

3. to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.
4. to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc.:

   to restore the king to his throne.

   Synonyms: reinstate, replace

5. to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).
6. to reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct animal, etc.) in the original state.

   Synonyms: rebuild

restore

/ rɪˈstɔː /

verb

1. to return (something, esp a work of art or building) to an original or former condition
2. to bring back to health, good spirits, etc
3. to return (something lost, stolen, etc) to its owner
4. to reintroduce or re-enforce

   to restore discipline

5. to reconstruct (an extinct animal, former landscape, etc)

Derived Forms

• reˈstorer, noun
• reˈstorable, adjective
• reˈstorableness, noun

Other Words From

• re·stora·ble adjective
• re·stora·ble·ness noun
• re·storer noun
• quasi-re·stored adjective
• self-re·storing adjective
• unre·stora·ble adjective
• unre·stored adjective
• well-re·stored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of restore¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English restoren, from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurāre; re-, store

Word History and Origins

Origin of restore¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin rēstaurāre to rebuild, from re- + -staurāre , as in instaurāre to renew

Synonym Study

See renew.

Example Sentences

His campaign was constructed on an implicit promise to male voters that Trump was on a mission to restore sexist privileges many men feel have been lost in the #MeToo era.

From Salon

But six Nations League games later, Scotland have shown visible signs of progression against higher-ranked opposition and the feelgood factor has been restored among the Tartan Army.

From BBC

Interestingly, alien species -- meaning those not native to the study region -- represented only ten percent of the natural regeneration in the restored areas.

From Science Daily

Part of the Green Tripartite agreement between the government, the agriculture industry and environmental organisations is to also reduce nitrogen pollution in an effort to restore the coasts and fjords.

From BBC

Ukrainian military experts have welcomed Washington’s decision - saying it will not necessarily change the course of the war, but will restore a little balance.

From BBC

Related Words

• bring back
• build up
• improve
• modernize
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• recover
• reestablish
• refurbish
• rehabilitate
• reinforce
• reinstate
• renew
• renovate
• repair
• replace
• rescue
• revitalize
• revive
• strengthen