RETRIEVE Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

retrieve

verb

ri-ˈtrēv

Definition of retrieve

as in to regain

to get again in one's possession needed to retrieve the book from my friend so I could return it to the library

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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 retrieve Another child had fired the bullet while trying to retrieve an unsecured gun. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 12 Aug. 2026 Agencies are moving fast toward letting AI agents query government data directly; not just render dashboards for humans to read, but retrieve records, summarize case files and flag anomalies on their own. — Gopichand Mannava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 This sudden removal meant that Sade could not retrieve his novel, which was still hidden in his cell wall. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Middle schoolers enrolled in Piper, meanwhile, will turn their phones over to their first period teachers and retrieve them from that classroom at the end of the day. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrieve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrieve

Verb

Vollering had been in the lead before crashing earlier in the race, and had one last shot to regain the yellow jersey from eventual winner Niewiadoma-Phinney.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Instead, the move gives Prieto an opportunity to regain confidence and continue getting regular at-bats.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of regain

Verb

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently told Fox News that Ukraine isn't trying to recapture Crimea — at least for now.

— Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026
The region’s key races may help determine whether Democrats make gains in the General Assembly or Republicans recapture their veto-proof supermajority.

— Mary Ramsey August 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of recapture

Verb

The Puerto Rican boxer had brain surgery but never fully recovered from his injuries, identified as a large subdural hematoma, and was in a persistent vegetative state.

— Matt Moret, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Three loose fan blade fragments were recovered from the engine.

— Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of recover

Browse Nearby Words

retrievals

retrieve

retrieved

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“Retrieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrieve. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrieve

verb

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