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

“There has never been a more critical time at which to begin the intellectual struggle with those who would demean human nature by using prisons exclusively as agencies of social control that punish without attempting to rehabilitate, that isolate and oppress instead of educating and elevating, and that tear down minority communities rather than protecting and strengthening them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Neither Kavanaugh nor Barrett seemed persuaded by Thomas’ quest to rehabilitate the prosecutors.

From Slate

Vance’s tonal shift was an attempt not just to rehabilitate his own image but to help his ticket appeal to the last remaining undecided voters, who are likely to be more moderate than the base supporters who cheer him and Trump at rallies.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s hard to rehabilitate yourself in a place where you've got gang violence, postcode wars, drug violence, money wars,” he says, highlighting how overstretched staff are.

From BBC

That would require a ruling by a judge that “essentially means that the juvenile system would not be equipped to rehabilitate that minor,” Jenkins said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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