convalesce

[ kon-vuh-les ]

Part of Speech verb

Origin + Etymology

Late 15th century; Latin from Latin convalescere, from con- ‘altogether’ + valescere ‘grow strong’ (from valere ‘be well’)

Synonyms

recuperate
mend
restore

Antonyms

break
damage
destroy
weaken
deteriorate

Definition

to recover health and strength after illness; make progress toward recovery of health

Example

The patient spent 6 months in physical therapy to convalesce after his injury.

Usage Over Time

#uncommon

Usage Over Time

explore more words

funambulist

[ fyoo-nam-byuh-list ]

a tightrope walker

mitzvah

[ meets-vah; mits-vuh ]

a precept or commandment

posthumous

[ pos-chuh-muhs ]

arising, occurring, or continuing after one’s death

holophrase

[ hol-uh-freyz ]

a word functioning as a phrase or sentence, as the imperative "Go!"

upbraid

[ uhp-breyd ]

to find fault with or reproach severely; censure

gasconade

[ gas-kuh-neyd ]

extravagant boasting

felicitate

[ fi-lis-i-teyt ]

to make happy (archaic)

euphony

[ yoo-fuh-nee ]

agreeableness of sound; pleasing effect to the ear, especially a pleasant sounding or harmonious combination or succession of words

surly

[ sur-lee ]

bad-tempered and unfriendly