reclaim

1
as in to regain
to get again in one's possession she reclaimed the championship title after losing it last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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

3
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 Years later, Ana and Iggy reunite to seek out Matías and reclaim a lost sense of innocence, only to find that time has changed everything. Jamie Lang, Variety, 16 May 2025 Far from being silenced, activists reclaimed the word. Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025 Gracie Abrams reclaims the No. 1 spot on the ARIA Albums Chart this week with The Secret of Us (via Interscope/Universal), marking its third non-consecutive week at the top, while Australian artist Dope Lemon earns another top 10 debut with his latest release Golden Wolf, which enters at No. 8. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 9 May 2025 The Kremlin currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine, which Kyiv has vowed to reclaim. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim
Verb
  • Types of Lime Plaster Finishes Thanks to its health-conscious and environmentally friendly properties, lime plaster has regained popularity in the design and decorating world.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025
  • Tariffs may create breathing room for U.S. manufacturers to regain competitiveness.
    Greg Khojikian, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Our investigation found that a large number of the private agencies deliberately kept the children in their care and out of the adoption market, making little or no effort to rehabilitate their parents.
    Stewart Ain, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
  • State officials say this is the fourth young cub in the past five years that’s been brought in to be rehabilitated.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Single-use plastics are a type of plastic that is used once before being thrown away or recycled, such as soda bottles, straws and coffee stirrers, according to Plastic Free Challenge.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • According to the manufacturer, this Amazon tiny home is made with environmentally friendly materials that can be recycled and lessen construction waste.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Ten men fled after breaching a wall behind a toilet, and so far, only three have been recaptured.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
  • As of early Saturday afternoon, seven out of the 10 missing inmates had been recaptured.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Benning redeemed himself minutes later, threading a blue-line blast through traffic on a late-period power play to tie the game at 2-2, reawakening the Charlotte crowd and shifting momentum back to the home team.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Chargers Jim Harbaugh taking a new approach to evaluating Chargers’ rookie talent May 10, 2025 Week 17, HOUSTON, TBD: Herbert can redeem himself against the defense that grabbed four interceptions in the Chargers’ 2024 playoff flop.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The rest of the original 250 hostages have either been released, rescued or had their bodies recovered.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • With about three minutes left, Tatum dove for a loose ball, which Knicks guard OG Anunoby recovered.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • On May 8, a hunter discovered human remains on Cedar Mountain, and after alerting authorities about the finding, law enforcement responded to the area and retrieved them, the Kane County Sheriff's Office reported this week.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The Kane County Sheriff’s Office further said in its recent news release that a deputy arrived at the scene and retrieved the new remains.
    David Chiu, People.com, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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