rehabilitate
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌriːhəˈbɪlɪteɪt/
KK: /ˌriːhəˈbɪlɪteɪt/
transitive verb
Definition
To help someone or something return to a good condition, health, or status after a period of difficulty or damage.
Example
The organization aims to rehabilitate former prisoners by providing them with job training and support.
Tense Forms
Past: rehabilitated
Past Participle: rehabilitated
Conversation
I heard they are trying to rehabilitate that old park downtown.
Really? That sounds like a great idea!
Yeah, it could really use some love and attention.
Absolutely! It would be nice to have a clean space to relax.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
restore
revive
rehabilitate
Antonyms
damage
deteriorate
harm
Root Explanation
Rehabilitate → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "habilitare" (meaning to make able or to enable). The word means to make someone able again, often referring to restoring someone to a previous state of health or ability.
Memory Tip
Think of 'making able again' — 're-' means again, and 'habilitare' means to make able. This helps you remember that rehabilitate means to restore someone's abilities.
Visually Confused Words
habilitate
unrehabilitated
refacilitate
debilitate
habitate
dishabilitate