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Regenerate vs Rehabilitate - What's the difference?

regenerate | rehabilitate |

In transitive terms the difference between regenerate and rehabilitate

is that regenerate is to revitalize while rehabilitate is to return (someone) to good health after illness, addiction etc.

In intransitive terms the difference between regenerate and rehabilitate

is that regenerate is to undergo a spiritual rebirth while rehabilitate is to go through such a process; to recover.

As an adjective regenerate

is spiritually reborn.

regenerate

English

Alternative forms

* regen (abbreviation)

Verb

(regenerat)
  • To construct or create anew, especially in an improved manner.
  • To revitalize.
  • (biology) To replace lost or damaged tissue.
  • To become reconstructed.
  • To undergo a spiritual rebirth.
  • Adjective

    (-)
  • Spiritually reborn.
  • (obsolete) Reproduced.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The earthly author of my blood, / Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate , / Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up.
    English intransitive verbs English transitive verbs ----

    rehabilitate

    English

    Verb

    (rehabilitat)
  • To restore (someone) to their former state, reputation, possessions, status etc.
  • To vindicate; to restore the reputation or image of (a person, concept etc.).
  • To return (something) to its original condition.
  • (North America) To restore or repair (a vehicle, building); to make habitable or usable again.
  • To restore to (a criminal etc.) the necessary training and education to allow for a successful reintegration into society; to retrain.
  • To return (someone) to good health after illness, addiction etc.
  • To go through such a process; to recover.
  • Quotations

    * I turned over the piece of paper, and there, there on the other side, in the middle of the other side, away from everything else on the other side, in parenthesis, capital letters, quotated, read the following words: :: (“KID, HAVE YOU REHABILITATED YOURSELF?”) : —, 1967 * Attempts to rehabilitate liberals on this point are futile. It's in their DNA. *: 2006

    Derived terms

    * rehab * rehabilitation * rehabilitative