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
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
Nathan MacKinnon had an empty-net goal and four points, retaking the league lead from Connor McDavid with 74.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The Ravens would respond with another touchdown of their own after a quick drive that ended with Jackson hitting Flowers for a 64-yard bomb, retaking the lead, 24-20.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
But retaking the top spot in its third week of release was Disney’s Zootopia 2.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Trump, in one of his first acts after retaking the White House in January, pardoned the vast majority of them.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025
With El Fasher lost, the SAF is expelled from the France-sized area, with little hope of retaking territory in the near future.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
With all the momentum swinging to the visitor’s sideline, North Texas was eyeing a two-for-one with the ball in Charlotte’s redzone, just 8 yards from retaking the lead late in the first half.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
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
Nathan MacKinnon had an empty-net goal and four points, retaking the league lead from Connor McDavid with 74.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The Ravens would respond with another touchdown of their own after a quick drive that ended with Jackson hitting Flowers for a 64-yard bomb, retaking the lead, 24-20.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
But retaking the top spot in its third week of release was Disney’s Zootopia 2.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Trump, in one of his first acts after retaking the White House in January, pardoned the vast majority of them.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025
With El Fasher lost, the SAF is expelled from the France-sized area, with little hope of retaking territory in the near future.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
With all the momentum swinging to the visitor’s sideline, North Texas was eyeing a two-for-one with the ball in Charlotte’s redzone, just 8 yards from retaking the lead late in the first half.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaking
Verb
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That includes 15 Democrats, who are leaving despite their party’s increasing odds of recapturing the House next November.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
6 Jan. 2026
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After recapturing Jerusalem’s holy temple, which had been defiled by the occupiers, the Maccabees searched for pure oil to light the menorah.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The match lasted only 37 minutes, and would have been even shorter if not for the time Schaedel spent retrieving balls that Abdelkader had missed, or had failed to knock back over the net when points finished.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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After a rehearsal at the venue, management allegedly spent hours retrieving the bag.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Don’t err by thinking these fans can just walk out of the jail, reclaiming their Sundays for something fun.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Byrne toured heavily and wasn’t shy about playing his old band’s classic songs, essentially reclaiming them for himself.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaking. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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