as in recapturing
to get again in one's possession
after some fierce fighting, government forces have retaken the capital
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Recent Examples of retaking
At the 2026 competition in late March, along with retaking the Northwest Division title for non-traditional pizzas, Gilbert also placed 5th worldwide in Detroit-style pizza, the thick-crust pan style Melt specializes in.
—
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Since retaking office at the start of last year, Trump has essentially closed the border to new arrivals and tamped down on other forms of legal immigration, while embarking on a mass deportation campaign to remove millions of immigrants already living in the country illegally.
—Sam González Kelly, Houston Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Some of this is inevitable — the original cadre of settlers who remember fleeing to the island with the hope of retaking the mainland has all but died off.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
But Elizabeth is one of the few actors from the first installment who won't be returning for the sixth film, also titled Scary Movie, which finds the Wayans family retaking control of the series.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
National Democratic fundraising committees haven’t seriously invested in Florida races in recent years, but Democrats have a difficult path to retaking the Senate this year that could lead to more attention on Florida.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump’s approval rating on immigration has slipped since retaking office as Democratic lawmakers push to restrict ICE operations and demand limits on enforcement tactics.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Substitute Shea Lacey rattled the Burnley crossbar in the final 10 minutes, but that was as close as United came to retaking the lead.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
And of course, there’s Taiwan, where even a slightly softer US line would move Xi closer to retaking the island.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Since retaking office at the start of last year, Trump has essentially closed the border to new arrivals and tamped down on other forms of legal immigration, while embarking on a mass deportation campaign to remove millions of immigrants already living in the country illegally.
—Sam González Kelly, Houston Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Some of this is inevitable — the original cadre of settlers who remember fleeing to the island with the hope of retaking the mainland has all but died off.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
But Elizabeth is one of the few actors from the first installment who won't be returning for the sixth film, also titled Scary Movie, which finds the Wayans family retaking control of the series.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
National Democratic fundraising committees haven’t seriously invested in Florida races in recent years, but Democrats have a difficult path to retaking the Senate this year that could lead to more attention on Florida.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump’s approval rating on immigration has slipped since retaking office as Democratic lawmakers push to restrict ICE operations and demand limits on enforcement tactics.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Substitute Shea Lacey rattled the Burnley crossbar in the final 10 minutes, but that was as close as United came to retaking the lead.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
And of course, there’s Taiwan, where even a slightly softer US line would move Xi closer to retaking the island.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaking
Verb
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And history suggests that returning is one thing, but recapturing the same intensity of viewership and fandom is another.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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More than a century later the Yaʿrubid dynasty drove the Portuguese from the Omani coast, recapturing Muscat in 1650 and then occupying Portuguese settlements in the Persian Gulf and East African coastal regions.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The researchers found that repeatedly interrupting retrieval can gradually reduce how accessible the memory becomes over time, meaning that the brain effectively becomes less practiced at retrieving it in vivid detail.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
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In addition to asking for help in retrieving the devices, Healey and Tarr also inquired about the possible recovery of the remains of the seven people on board.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Until Friday's session, stocks had enjoyed a strong week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average reclaiming the 50,000 level and the S & P 500 closing above 7,500 for the first time.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
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The seat is considered one of the most competitive in the nation and critical to Democratic hopes of reclaiming control of the chamber.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaking. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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