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 Before the 2022 season, King reclaimed the starting job, but after a stunning home loss to Appalachian State, he was benched for two games. —Seth Emerson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 The National Safe Haven Alliance recommends that parents be allowed to reclaim their parental rights within at least 30 days after relinquishment. —Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025 Coastal cities have spent the centuries reclaiming land by filling in marshes. —Sarah Botstein, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 Grounded in touch, care and deep cultural knowing, midwifery is not only about guiding mothers and babies safely into the world but also reclaiming cultural traditions. —Deanna Taylor, USA Today, 7 Oct. 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.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, the threats gave more ammunition to plans from state police and National Guard to try to regain control of Attica.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of regain
Verb
  • The federal push aimed to repair, rehabilitate and replace old iron and steel pipes with new pipelines to improve safety.
    — NPR, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Community members at the time cried and mourned as their hopes of rehabilitating and reopening the historic structure were reduced to ashes.
    — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • The creators claim that the R2's three-stage auto-washing system can handle the toughest stains and debris, cleaning up to 400 sq ft (around 37 sq m) of carpet per hour while recycling dirty water to reduce waste.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Target incentivized consumers to recycle their denim with a Target Circle 20 percent off discount code to use toward a new denim apparel purchase.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of recycle
Verb
  • Benbrook was able to recapture the lead on an 8-yard quick slant to receiver Dorien Johnson and made up for the first-quarter blunder with a successful 2-point conversion.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Then the film cuts to a scene in which Leigh visits Jeffrey in prison shortly after he’s recaptured.
    — Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of recapture
Verb
  • This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600.
    — Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • Ashby worked around a leadoff walk of Shohei Ohtani, but recovered to retire the side.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Regulators then allow companies to recover those costs, plus profits, in customer bills.
    — NPR, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of recover
Verb
  • Here's what to know about the new research, and how Artemis III astronauts could help retrieve lunar samples for further study here on Earth.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Among the most remarkable finds is Veleropilina gretchenae, a new mollusk species retrieved from the Aleutian Trench at a depth of 6,465 meters.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of retrieve

Browse Nearby Words

reckon with
reclaim
reclaimable
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Cite this Entry

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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