C2verb formal 10K+

Rehabilitate

UK //ˌriːəˈbɪlɪteɪt// US //ˌriːəˈbɪlɪteɪt// Pronunciation

Definition

To restore someone or something to a healthy or good condition.

Listen to definition

In simple words: To help someone or something return to a good condition or state.

Examples

• The government aims to rehabilitate former criminals through job training programs.
• She needed to rehabilitate her injured knee after the accident.
• They worked on ways to rehabilitate the polluted river.
• The organization helps rehabilitate animals that have been rescued.
• Efforts to rehabilitate the old building have begun.

Usage notes

Used typically in contexts related to health, crime, or environment. Not common in casual conversation.

Grammar pattern

rehabilitate + object

Memory hint

Think 'rehab' for recovering health or behavior.

Collocations

• rehabilitate a patient
• rehabilitate a community
• rehabilitate the environment

Synonyms

• restore
• revitalize
• reclaim
• reform
• revive

Antonyms

• deteriorate
• neglect

Common mistakes

• Confusing with 'rehabilitation' (the noun form).
• Incorrectly using with non-living objects where 'restore' might be better.
• Overusing in contexts that don’t require a formal tone.