Synonyms

resurrect

American

[rez-uh-rekt] / ˌrɛz əˈrɛkt /

verb (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)

to rise from the dead.

resurrect British

/ ˌrɛzəˈrɛkt /

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

"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

Other Word Forms

resurrector noun
unresurrected adjective

Etymology

Origin of resurrect

First recorded in 1765–75; back formation from resurrection

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.

I’ve been trying to resurrect it for months now, with no luck.

From Literature

Appropriately, “Unrolling Eternity” celebrates the ancient artists who created these magnificent “Books of the Dead” alongside the present-day conservators who have resurrected them.

From The Wall Street Journal

He and Rev Ielpo had been "compelled" to turn back from the church, where Christ was also believed to have been buried and subsequently resurrected, it said.

From BBC

“Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” is happening whether we observe its effect to resurrect live scripted event programming or not.

From Salon

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023