Restore vs. Recover — What's the Difference?

Bring back or re-establish (a previous right, practice, or situation)

Return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength

To bring back into existence or use; reestablish

Find or regain possession of (something stolen or lost)

To bring back to an original or normal condition

Remove or extract (an energy source or industrial chemical) for use, reuse, or waste treatment

To place in a former position or location

A defined position of a firearm forming part of a military drill

To put (someone) back in a former position or role

To get back (something lost or taken away), especially by making an effort

To make restitution of; give back

To search for, find, and bring back

(transitive) To reestablish, or bring back into existence.

To get back control or possession of (land) by military conquest or legal action.

(transitive) To bring back to good condition from a state of decay or ruin.

To have (the use, possession, or control of something) restored

(transitive) To give or bring back (that which has been lost or taken); to bring back to the owner; to replace.

To regain the use of (a faculty) or be restored to (a normal or usual condition)

(transitive) To give in place of, or as restitution for.

To cause to be restored to a normal or usual condition

To recover (data, etc.) from a backup.

To discover or be able to follow (a trail or scent) after losing it.

To bring (a note) back to its original signification.

To procure (usable substances, such as metal) from unusable substances, such as ore or waste.

(obsolete) To make good; to make amends for.

To bring (land) into or return to a suitable condition for use; reclaim.

(computing) The act of recovering data or a system from a backup.

To bring under observation again

To bring back to its former state; to bring back from a state of ruin, decay, disease, or the like; to repair; to renew; to recover.

To regain a normal or usual condition, as of health

To give or bring back, as that which has been lost., or taken away; to bring back to the owner; to replace.

To receive a favorable judgment in a lawsuit.

To renew; to reëstablish; as, to restore harmony among those who are variance.

(transitive) To get back, to regain (a physical thing; in astronomy and navigation, sight of a thing or a signal).

To give in place of, or as satisfaction for.

(transitive) to salvage, to extricate, to rescue (a thing or person)

To make good; to make amends for.

(transitive) To replenish to, resume (a good state of mind or body).

To bring back from a state of injury or decay, or from a changed condition; as, to restore a painting, statue, etc.

To obtain a positive judgement; to win in a lawsuit.

Restoration.

To gain as compensation or reparation, usually by formal legal process

Return to its original or usable and functioning condition;

To reach (a place), arrive at.

Return to life; get or give new life or energy;

To restore to good health, consciousness, life etc.

Give or bring back;

To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of.

Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;

(intransitive) To regain one's composure, balance etc.

Bring back into original existence, use, function, or position;

To get better, to regain health or prosperity.

To recover from

To cover again.

(roofing) To add a new roof membrane or steep-slope covering over an existing one.

(obsolete) Recovery.

(military) A position of holding a firearm during exercises, whereby the lock is at shoulder height and the sling facing out.

(dated) The forward movement in rowing, after one stroke to take another (recovery)

To cover again.

To get or obtain again; to get renewed possession of; to win back; to regain.

To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of; as, to recover lost time.

To restore from sickness, faintness, or the like; to bring back to life or health; to cure; to heal.

To overcome; to get the better of, - as a state of mind or body.

To rescue; to deliver.

To gain by motion or effort; to obtain; to reach; to come to.

To gain as a compensation; to obtain in return for injury or debt; as, to recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a suit at law; to obtain title to by judgement in a court of law; as, to recover lands in ejectment or common recovery; to gain by legal process; as, to recover judgement against a defendant.

To regain health after sickness; to grow well; to be restored or cured; hence, to regain a former state or condition after misfortune, alarm, etc.; - often followed by of or from; as, to recover from a state of poverty; to recover from fright.

To make one's way; to come; to arrive.

To obtain a judgement; to succeed in a lawsuit; as, the plaintiff has recovered in his suit.

Recovery.

Get or find back; recover the use of;

Get over an illness or shock;

Regain a former condition after a financial loss;

Regain or make up for;

Of materials from waste products

Cover anew;