habilitate
verb
ha·bil·i·tate hə-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt 
habilitated; habilitating
transitive verb
1
: to make fit or capable (as for functioning in society)
2
: clothe, dress
intransitive verb
: to qualify oneself
habilitation
hə-ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən
noun 
Synonyms
- reclaim
- redeem
- reform
- regenerate
- rehabilitate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
believes that society should be responsible for habilitating nonviolent offenders
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin habilitatus, past participle of habilitare, from Latin habilitas ability — more at ability
First Known Use
1604, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
habilitate
verb
as in to rehabilitate
to make better in behavior or character believes that society should be responsible for habilitating nonviolent offenders Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rehabilitate
- redeem
- reform
- improve
- reclaim
- regenerate
- reeducate
- refine
- restore
- amend
- purify
- cleanse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- demoralize
- subvert
- debauch
- deprave
- degrade
- pervert
- abase
- poison
- prostitute
- lower
- warp
- profane
- corrupt
- demean
- canker