verb

raviver

rekindle · revive

Definition & meaning

Raviver is a French verb meaning to rekindle, revive, renew, or intensify something.

Its meanings include:

To rekindle a fire or flame
- raviver un feu — to rekindle a fire
- raviver une flamme — to rekindle a flame
To revive or renew a feeling, memory, conflict, or interest
- raviver un souvenir — to bring a memory back vividly
- raviver la colère — to rekindle anger
- raviver une ancienne querelle — to reopen an old quarrel
To brighten or restore the intensity of a color or appearance
- raviver les couleurs — to brighten or bring out the colors
- raviver un tissu — to restore a fabric’s color

It can also be used pronominally:

La douleur se ravive. — The pain flares up again.
Les tensions se ravivent. — Tensions are rekindled.

Grammar & Word origin

Raviver is a regular -er verb and is usually transitive, meaning it takes a direct object.

Present: je ravive — I rekindle / revive
Past participle: ravivé — rekindled / revived
Pronominal form: se raviver — to flare up or be rekindled

The word is formed from the prefix re-, expressing repetition or renewal, and aviver, meaning “to make more vivid or intense.” Aviver is related to vif, meaning “lively,” “vivid,” or “intense.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Réanimer — to revive or bring back to life; often used for a person, activity, or feeling that has lost its energy.
Ranimer — to rekindle or revive, especially a fire, flame, feeling, or relationship. It is very close in meaning to raviver.
Réveiller — literally “to wake up”; it can describe awakening a feeling, memory, or interest, but is broader and less specifically about restoring intensity.
Intensifier — to intensify or make stronger; it does not necessarily imply that something had previously weakened.
Redonner de l’éclat — to restore brightness or brilliance, especially to colors or an appearance.

Antonyms

Éteindre — to extinguish a fire or flame; figuratively, to suppress a feeling or enthusiasm.
Apaiser — to calm or soothe, especially anger, tension, or conflict.
Atténuer — to lessen the intensity of something.
Refroidir — literally “to cool”; figuratively, to reduce enthusiasm, passion, or affection.
Estomper — to fade, blur, or weaken the force of a memory, feeling, or color.