reclaim

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

Examples 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 Black women are reclaiming their time and energy by setting clear boundaries in dating. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 3 Jan. 2025 Dane Jackson: The free-agent signee from Buffalo lost his nickel job to Chau Smith-Wade before reclaiming it when the rookie went on IR last week. Joseph Person, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025 This could empower farmers to reclaim their autonomy and give them the resources to help fight climate change. Henry Duckworth, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 To reclaim the promise of representative government — a government that serves the people, not corporate ledgers. Dave Catalfamo, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reclaim 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim
Verb
  • Johns briefly regains the No. 1 ranking after this event, but by mid-summer Staksrud is firmly entrenched atop the standings.
    Todd Boss, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • School lobbyist Hugo Arza said the city is regaining access to the recreational center’s courts, the existing courts and the library.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For the educators, that creates an amusing challenge: The Sunny gang isn’t a pack of wayward teenagers waiting for an understanding mentor to show them the light, and their moral failures can’t be rehabilitated with a pep talk.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Auditors also noted the social and educational efforts to rehabilitate prisoners and ready them to re-enter society.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Those in states that haven't enacted recycling laws generally charge fees to consumers for drop-off and home pickup.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
  • This is why outsourcing providers need to adopt circular economy models, recycling outdated IT equipment to minimize environmental impact.
    To Quang Duy, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Vladimir Putin keeps pushing back the deadline for his forces to fully recapture Kursk.
    David Axe, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Tracy says that her various Facebook community groups and chats are filled with conversations about how to rebuild and recapture Altadena’s essence, its beauty, and its free-spirit vibe.
    Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Below, 15 members of Forbes Agency Council share expert insights into how a brand facing viral complaints can take an appropriate level of accountability, redeem its good name and regain consumer trust.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • As a reminder, PS Plus' monthly free games for January can still be redeemed.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Meghan McCain slams Meghan Markle's new 'out of touch' TV show: 'Do something to help people instead of your ego' Production delays in an industry still recovering from the 2023 SAG-WGA strikes are only the tip of the iceberg.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Like many department stores in recent years, Kohl’s has spent the last few years in turmoil and has struggled to recover from shifting consumer behavior.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This content was summarized by generative artificial intelligence using public filings retrieved from SEC.gov.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Finally, after half a dozen or so tries, the Zaida crew retrieved a towline.
    David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near reclaim

Cite this Entry

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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