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 In rolling to a fourth straight win — their longest such streak in more than a month — the Rays also reclaimed first place in the American League East by percentage points over the Yankees, who have been on top for the last two weeks. —

Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026 Despite trade restrictions, China has reclaimed the title of the world’s fastest supercomputer for the first time since 2018. —

Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 28 June 2026 But what if there was a process that could reclaim nitrogen and clean wastewater? —

Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 28 June 2026 However, Putin picked another longtime associate, Dmitry Medvedev, to serve as his placeholder until reclaiming the presidency in 2012. —

ABC News, 26 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

As more of these batteries wear out, finding efficient ways to recycle them is becoming more important.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
The good news is that hangers can be repurposed around the house, donated to someone who needs them, or recycled through the right channels.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026

Definition of recycle

Verb

The user’s second-largest bet is a $61,000 wager that Ukraine will recapture Crimea by the end of the year, an outcome the market believes has only a 12% chance of occurring.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
How Many Calories Rucking Burns The calorie math is what hooks many newcomers, particularly men in their 40s trying to recapture lost ground.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

Definition of recapture

Verb

Authorities say electrical service in La Guaira has recovered to roughly 90%, while more than 5 million liters of water have been distributed across affected areas.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Home prices nationwide have surged since 2012, a year that saw the nation recovering from the Great Recession.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

Do not try to relight or retrieve fireworks that have not fully ignited.

— Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 July 2026
The police report details a harrowing scene where Bland instructed one of the children in the home to retrieve a knife, but the child claimed to not know why.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026