reclaim

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 Eddie Ritchie bunted Harvey to second, and pinch-hitter Brody Alves connected for an RBI single off Lonardo to reclaim the lead. Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026 The cultural minister of Guatemala has begun the process to reclaim a 1,200-year-old stone lintel that was repatriated from the United States to Mexico in mid-April, according to a report in the Art Newspaper. Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 May 2026 Eco effort Sustainability is at the heart of the 1 Hotels brand, and this comes across in almost every aspect of the hotel from responsibly sourced and reclaimed building materials to the design to the in-room amenities (right down to the soy ink in the pens). Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026 Following that decision, the Court of International Trade confirmed in early March that the right to reclaim those tariffs rests solely with importers of record, or Amazon, in this specific case. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim
Verb
  • The only way to regain that dignity, according to Uyghurs like Choghtal, was to train to fight and perhaps have the opportunity one day to wrest control of Xinjiang away from the Communist Party.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026
  • Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Once the dust settles, both Lively and Baldoni will be tasked with rehabilitating their reputations, and attention will inevitably turn to the next high-profile celebrity case.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 May 2026
  • These experts also help recover and rehabilitate a brand after the event.
    John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Unfortunately, less than 25 percent of it is currently being recycled.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
  • Open packages outside and dispose of the cardboard in your trash or recycling bin immediately.
    Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Per the logline, in The Hawk Lonnie Hawkins, (Ferrell) 2004’s number one golfer, struggles on the back nine of his career to recapture his magic.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 May 2026
  • Still, the 49ers have been trying to recapture their youth, with an 11-man draft class last year — every draftee remains on the roster — and an eight-man class last month.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Winners may not substitute, assign, or transfer any prize or redeem any prize for cash; however, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.
    Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
  • The Armorer says that after removing his helmet, he can only be redeemed by bathing in the Living Waters on Mandalore.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • The economy recovered by the late 1990s, with the military reinvesting its profits into the country to support hospitals, education and government food rations.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 May 2026
  • Rudy Giuliani, 81, is recovering from a severe case of viral pneumonia that led him into a coma in early May.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Argentine investigators trudging through mud to retrieve the dead rats declined to speak to journalists about their work.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
  • Customers are given a pickup window to retrieve their pints from the shop on either Friday or Saturday.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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