RECLAIM Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'reclaim' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reclaim are deliver , ransom , redeem , rescue , and save . While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. // reclaimed long-abandoned farms

Q: Where would 'deliver' be a reasonable alternative to 'reclaim'?

While the synonyms deliver and reclaim are close in meaning, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. // delivered his people from bondage

Q: When could 'ransom' be used to replace 'reclaim'?

The words ransom and reclaim can be used in similar contexts, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. // tried to ransom the kidnap victim

Q: When is it sensible to use 'redeem' instead of 'reclaim'?

The meanings of redeem and reclaim largely overlap; however, redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary. // job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

Q: In what contexts can 'rescue' take the place of 'reclaim'?

Although the words rescue and reclaim have much in common, rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action. // rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Q: When can 'save' be used instead of 'reclaim'?

While in some cases nearly identical to reclaim , save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence. // an operation that saved my life

reclaim

verb

ri-ˈklām

Definition of reclaim next

as in to regain

to get again in one's possession she reclaimed the championship title after losing it last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rehabilitate

to make better in behavior or character a program to reclaim juvenile offenders by requiring them to do community service

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to recycle

to obtain (a raw material) by separating it from a by-product or waste product after reclaiming the glycerin from used vegetable oil, you can use the oil to create a fuel that burns cleaner than regular gasoline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reclaim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reclaim are deliver, ransom, redeem, rescue, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

Where would deliver be a reasonable alternative to reclaim?

While the synonyms deliver and reclaim are close in meaning, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When could ransom be used to replace reclaim?

The words ransom and reclaim can be used in similar contexts, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When is it sensible to use redeem instead of reclaim?

The meanings of redeem and reclaim largely overlap; however, redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

In what contexts can rescue take the place of reclaim?

Although the words rescue and reclaim have much in common, rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

When can save be used instead of reclaim?

While in some cases nearly identical to reclaim, save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

an operation that saved my life

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reclaim According to Air Mail, the note offers an apology and further demands for money to reclaim Guthrie’s body. —

Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 June 2026 At the same time, the war for the Iron Throne will reach a decisive phase with the return of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) to the Red Keep, ready to reclaim King’s Landing and consolidate her position. —

Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 22 June 2026 If Socrates is the intellectual hero of the ancient world, and Jesus the spiritual hero, Odysseus—hardened, brutal, grief-struck, determined to reclaim his home—is the human hero, the whole man. —

David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 The Nationals came right back and reclaimed the lead. —

Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim

Verb

Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
In foreign policy, too, the democracies need to regain self-confidence—and back democratic allies against forces that threaten our systems and values.

— Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of regain

Verb

Unfortunately, not every animal can be safely rehabilitated or placed in a family environment.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 June 2026
During that same time, almost 5,000 laterals were replaced or rehabilitated using state and MDC funding, which is typically a cost incurred by the homeowner and can cost upwards of $10,000, officials said.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

Engineers looking for safe water and recycled air for astronauts should look no further than nature, according to one team of researchers.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 June 2026
Byron used and abused all kinds of sources—classical, vernacular English, vernacular Italian—and was in turn recycled by others both during his lifetime and after his death.

— Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026

Definition of recycle

Verb

Per the logline, in The Hawk Lonnie Hawkins, (Ferrell) 2004’s number one golfer, struggles on the back nine of his career to recapture his magic.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 June 2026
He was recaptured and indicted on a charge of obstructing a pending immigration proceeding.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Definition of recapture

Verb

McCloskey wrote on social media after recovering the rifle.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
Called up Thursday after signing as a free agent in April after recovering from March 2025 shoulder surgery, Grove made a memorable Rays debut — and was awarded the win for doing so.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

Organizations are deploying agents that retrieve sensitive data, call tools and APIs, update records and act inside live business systems.

— Najwa Aaraj, Fortune, 23 June 2026
The Dragon disconnected from the space station on June 16, and just one day later, parachuted into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California where it was retrieved, chock-full of cargo and finished science experiments.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 23 June 2026