RECLAIM Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reclaim

verb

ri-ˈklām

Definition of reclaim

as in to regain

to get again in one's possession she reclaimed the championship title after losing it last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Apple is set to leapfrog Nvidia and reclaim its title as the world's largest company as tech investors embrace consumer hardware again. — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson’s path to reclaiming the governor’s mansion for Republicans almost certainly doesn’t run through Kansas City, Kansas. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 House Speaker Mike Johnson traveled to Stockton on Wednesday to campaign for Republican Kevin Lincoln, stepping up GOP efforts to reclaim California's 13th Congressional District less than two weeks before the 2026 midterm election. — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 In 1896, Montaukett Chief Wyandanch Pharaoh filed a lawsuit to reclaim tribal territory. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim

Verb

The partnership operates at the federal and state level which allows Dewan to regain some of its investments to use for future solar projects, officials said.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Its report points to independent software maintenance as a way for IT leaders to regain control over software budgets, illustrating its potential bias.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of regain

Verb

Too dependent on one style Nike bought Converse for $305 million in 2003, seeing enormous potential to rehabilitate an iconic brand.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association has looked to secure funding to rehabilitate the buildings but work remains ongoing.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

The father and son are accused of recycling patients through their facilities to continue billing insurance companies, regardless of whether treatment was medically necessary or actually provided.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Some in the room thought the video message, which made no specific mention of the Amarillo Democrats, was recycled from earlier this year.

— Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of recycle

Verb

Russia occupied Izyum, where Fox said her brother settled, for six months in 2022, but Ukraine later recaptured it in a major counteroffensive.

— Garrett Haake, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
This group of people laughing, arguing, and reminiscing about a great era of American history—and also about members of their cohort who were long gone—recaptured lightning in a bottle.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of recapture

Verb

But the news took a turn when employees reportedly were given a phishing test email disguised as a chance to redeem their rings.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Each point is worth 1 cent and 200 points can be redeemed for $2 off convenience store items or an extra 5 cents per gallon discount on fuel.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of redeem

Verb

The screwdrivers were recovered from his car’s trunk, and are purported to be torture utensils.

— Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The tests will assess whether RecycLiCo’s proprietary hydrometallurgical technology can recover valuable metals from the deposit’s nickel-copper concentrates.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

The two swiftwater technicians waded to the Fulchers’ house and retrieved the Fulcher children, who were huddled together on the mattress.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
The report described one administrator who traveled to Florida during a previous election cycle to retrieve ballots.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of retrieve

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“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reclaim

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