reclaim

verb

ri-ˈklām How to pronounce reclaim (audio)
Definition of reclaimnext
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 Russia has reclaimed much of that territory and is making slow advances in multiple zones of eastern Ukraine (fourth map). —Dave Lawler, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025 Rodriguez had accused Clancy of falsifying participation data and used public funds to boost his for-profit business before SANDAG reclaimed administration of the program. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 Helly takes in what has happened and then wants to reclaim her autonomy again for herself. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2025 Many in Ukraine already understood that NATO membership and reclaiming all its territory by force were not possible. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim
  1. regain
  2. rehabilitate
  3. recycle
  4. recapture
  5. redeem
  6. recover
  7. retrieve
Verb
  • Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Under my leadership, HHS is and will always be committed to radical transparency to regain the public's trust in its health agencies.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of regain
Verb
  • The hope is the series will show Meghan in a new light, rehabilitate her image and change public perception.
    — Ashley Hume, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Trump administration sees itself not as an ally to Ukraine and its European backers, but as an intermediary between them and Moscow, hoping to rehabilitate Russia on the world stage.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • And importantly, even when additives are present in the Plexiglass that is being recycled, the process still boasts yields of 94 to 98%.
    — Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Refillable glass containers are the most sustainable packaging option for beverage companies, followed by aluminum cans (because they can be easily recycled) and then single-use glass bottles.
    — Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of recycle
Verb
  • Not many pop stars could succeed in this persona recycling, but MAYHEM recaptures the defiant energy of her early records while not veering into desperation.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The booster of SpaceX's mega rocket Starship is recaptured during a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on March 6, 2025.
    — William Harwood, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of recapture
Verb
  • This ticket must be redeemed at the Tallahassee main office or one of the Florida Lottery district offices, which are open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • So, for example, 100 Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for $100.
    — Daniel Wallach, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • Police investigators recovered two green cellular devices, blood pressure and thyroid medications, Tylenol, medical records, and a 2025 monthly planner from the home, according to a search warrant summary.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The statuette went missing in the early ‘70s, and to this day it has never been recovered.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of recover
Verb
  • When a customer order rolls in, the order processing agent retrieves order details from Shopify and verifies the payment in Stripe.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Gray bounced the ball into the paint, and Grill retrieved it for a layup to give the Tigers a 19-11 lead with 12:59 left in the first half.
    — Andy Theobald, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of retrieve

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Cite this Entry

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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