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 During rebuilding efforts, the shogunate decided to reclaim some coastal land at the mouth of the Sumida River. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025 With Bregman returning, Mayer's options would be limited to second base (and backup shortstop) with Bregman reclaiming full-time third base duties. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 One of the artifacts players must reclaim is a drum from Kenya. —Miami Herald, 11 July 2025 In the end, though, there was no beating a refined mountain escape that reclaimed the No. 1 ranking it last won in 2023. —Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 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
  • Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
  • The firm was created with the mission to help financially distressed individuals regain control of their lives.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Definition of regain
Verb
  • Community Action and Human Services is merging with Juvenile Services, which helps rehabilitate youthful offenders.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2025
  • These concentrations increased as Mexico worked to rehabilitate a major pipeline that is supposed to divert wastewater from the Tijuana River to treatment plants on both sides of the border.
    — Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • Created at manufacture, this immutable record of ownership and service history authenticates items for resale, dismantles counterfeit markets and provides auditable proof of recycling.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Having a global standard will allow countries to work together along the plastic waste chain to promote a more circular system of reuse and recycling at every stage of life for plastics.
    — Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of recycle
Verb
  • Those lobsters must be returned to the sea when recaptured.
    — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • The governor, a prolific fundraiser even in non-election years, last appeared in South Carolina in January 2024 to stump for Biden, who recaptured the state primary before dropping out after his June 2024 debate appearance against President Donald Trump.
    — Lia Russell Updated July 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
Definition of recapture
Verb
  • Customers ordering online can redeem their Krispy Kreme birthday celebration treat by using the code BDAY at checkout.
    — Rachel Flynn, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Bet on any of the eight contestants to redeem your reward.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • If it’s being called a fumble, S Dante Trader recovered it.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
  • Leaders often move on to operational recovery while teams are still recovering emotionally.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of recover
Verb
  • In one proof-of-concept, the researchers retrieved Bluetooth link keys from a headphone’s memory.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
  • When the alien craft crash-landed, Wendy volunteered to retrieve the cargo, only to find carnage within.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 17 July 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 30 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of reclaim for Spanish Speakers

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