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
habilitates
verb
as in rehabilitates
to make better in behavior or character believes that society should be responsible for habilitating nonviolent offenders Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rehabilitates
- redeems
- reforms
- improves
- reeducates
- reclaims
- regenerates
- refines
- restores
- amends
- cleanses
- purifies
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- poisons
- prostitutes
- demoralizes
- debauches
- profanes
- demeans
- corrupts
- perverts
- depraves
- warps
- subverts
- lowers
- abases
- degrades
- cankers