restore

verb

ri-ˈstȯr How to pronounce restore (audio)
Definition of restorenext
1
as in to revive
to bring back to a former condition or vigor restore an old car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to return
to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place restored the trophy to its proper place at the center of the shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb restore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of restore are refresh, rejuvenate, renew, and renovate. While all these words mean "to make like new," restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

When would refresh be a good substitute for restore?

The words refresh and restore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

When is rejuvenate a more appropriate choice than restore?

While the synonyms rejuvenate and restore are close in meaning, rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

When might renew be a better fit than restore?

The words renew and restore can be used in similar contexts, but renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

When is it sensible to use renovate instead of restore?

The meanings of renovate and restore largely overlap; however, renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of restore Access will be restored to customers beginning Wednesday, Anthropic said. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026 The utility later cleared residents to return to every building except the 600 building while crews worked to restore power. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Leaders should identify where bottlenecks crept back in, restore psychological safety around small failures, and rebuild the feedback loops that make frequent, low-risk deployment feel sustainable. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Gaspare Fossati, the architect best known for restoring Hagia Sophia, renovated the building in the 1840s, while the remains of 13th-century Genoese ramparts still form part of the restaurant walls downstairs. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for restore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restore
  1. revive
  2. return
  3. refresh
  4. replace
  5. renew
  6. renovate
Verb
  • Buena Park police attempted to revive Jasmine at the scene, but she was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to UCI Medical Center, prosecutors said.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The creative bet, the strategic decision to revive a 14-year-old campaign and the campaign adaptation to resonate with Gen Z were human calls.
    — Dreen Yang, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of revive
Verb
  • Season 42 continues on Monday with Caleb Groen returning as champion to face two new challengers.
    — USA TODAY Staff, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • In 2023 and 2024, Moreno rebuffed trade offers for Shohei Ohtani that could have returned the likes of Junior Caminero or Jackson Merrill.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of return
Verb
  • This past month, when the entire city was in the grip of basketball mania, my eyes have felt newly refreshed by the abundance of royal blue and traffic-cone orange on the streets.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
  • Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Cabot paints, says refreshing these pieces should never erase the charm.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Definition of refresh
Verb
  • With no room for error, Sheehan was quickly replaced by Jack Dreyer, who escaped the inning scoreless.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Buxton was replaced in center by Kyler Fedko in the bottom of the first inning.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of replace
Verb
  • The decision — announced on the deadline for the trade partners to determine whether to renew the deal for another 16 years — won't invalidate the agreement, which will stay in effect for another decade.
    — Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • The Federal Reserve attributes much of the gap to a capital stock the United States renews faster than anyone else, and the IMF to European firms that stay too small and invest too little to reach the frontier.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of renew
Verb
  • The data center is expected to cost about $107 million to build and will be hosted within an existing building, which will be renovated on the inside but left relatively intact on the outside.
    — Ilana Arougheti July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Now teams are renovating more frequently, and not just new builds or major overhauls, but small renovations of club or premium spaces.
    — Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of renovate

Browse Nearby Words

restorative
restore
restored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restore. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on restore

Nglish: Translation of restore for Spanish Speakers

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