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Rehabilitate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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rehabilitate

[ˌriːhəˈbɪlɪˌteɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in legal context

Restore (someone) to health or normal life by training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness.

Synonyms

reclaim, renew, restore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rehabilitate

Used when referring to helping someone recover from illness, addiction, or other challenges, and also when repairing or upgrading something to a better condition.

  • The clinic aims to rehabilitate patients who have suffered severe injuries.
  • Efforts are underway to rehabilitate the old factory into a community center.
restore

Used when bringing something back to its former condition, often used for buildings, art, and systems.

  • The committee plans to restore the historic building to its original glory.
  • The painting was carefully restored by an expert conservator.
renew

Typically used when making something valid again, refreshing, or starting something over. Often used for documents, agreements, or energy.

  • I need to renew my passport before the trip.
  • He felt renewed energy after a good night's sleep.
reclaim

Used when taking back or restoring something to its original state, often with an emphasis on ownership or rights.

  • They are working to reclaim the land that was lost to erosion.
  • She managed to reclaim her title after a tough battle.

Examples of usage

  • He was rehabilitated after a year of intensive therapy.
  • She is currently undergoing rehabilitation for her drug addiction.
Context #2 | Verb

in social context

Help (someone) to give up their criminal ways and become a productive member of society again.

Synonyms

reclaim, reconstruct, reform.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rehabilitate

This word appears twice in the prompt, but it shares the same context as previously described.

  • The wildlife center aims to rehabilitate injured animals.
reform

Commonly used when discussing making changes to improve something, particularly social systems, organizations, or behavior. It can carry a negative connotation if it implies strict control or punishment.

  • The government introduced policies to reform the healthcare system.
  • He wanted to reform his life after years of reckless behavior.
reclaim

Best suited for situations where you are recovering or retrieving something that was lost, or converting waste land into useful land.

  • The family seeks to reclaim their property after the legal dispute.
  • Efforts are being made to reclaim the desert for agricultural use.
reconstruct

This is appropriate when referring to rebuilding something that has been destroyed or significantly damaged.

  • The city plans to reconstruct the bridge destroyed by the flood.
  • Historians aim to reconstruct the events leading up to the war.

Examples of usage

  • The program aims to rehabilitate young offenders and prevent reoffending.
  • They work to rehabilitate ex-convicts and integrate them back into society.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Programs designed for rehabilitation often focus on both mental and physical health, aiming for overall recovery.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy is frequently used in the rehabilitation of individuals with addiction, helping to change harmful thought patterns.

Social Context

  • Rehabilitation can apply to ex-offenders, helping them reintegrate into society successfully.
  • The idea of giving people a second chance is central to rehabilitation, emphasizing that everyone can learn and improve.

Health and Medicine

  • In physiotherapy, rehabilitation helps patients regain strength and mobility after surgeries or injuries.
  • Occupational therapy is a key aspect of rehabilitation for helping individuals perform daily activities effectively after health setbacks.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often portray rehabilitation as a journey of self-discovery and growth, such as in '28 Days,' where a character learns to confront addiction.
  • Reality television sometimes features rehabilitation programs, showcasing the struggles and successes of participants in transforming their lives.

Origin of 'rehabilitate'

Main points about word origin

  • Originates from the Latin word 'rehabilitare,' meaning 'to restore to a good state.'
  • The prefix 're-' indicates 'again' or 'back,' while 'habilis' means 'able or skillful.'

The word 'rehabilitate' originates from the Latin word 'rehabilitatus', meaning restored to former privileges. The term gained prominence in the mid-16th century and has since been used widely in legal, medical, and social contexts to describe the process of restoring someone to health, normal life, or society.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,946, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.