RETRIEVE Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

retrieve

verb

ri-ˈtrēv

Definition of retrieve

as in to regain

to get again in one's possession needed to retrieve the book from my friend so I could return it to the library

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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 retrieve Oftentimes, surgeons travel to personally remove certain tricky-to-handle organs rather than relying on a local surgeon to retrieve and ship them. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Every photo backed up, every payment sent, every medical record retrieved, every AI query has a data center to thank. — Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 It was retrieved by a recovery ship, marking the end of the Soviet moon landing program. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Surveillance video showed the suspect retrieving a bicycle, riding into a nature preserve and leaving the area in a Toyota FJ Cruiser, according to the affidavit. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrieve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrieve

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

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

The condor’s return shows that nearly extinct species can recover with help.

— David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
For executives, that means not only developing the resilience to perform under pressure, but also recognizing when to step back and recover.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

Today, nature has reclaimed this idyllic spot—where Ingunn spent childhood summer days picking berries and swimming—with waterfalls and carpets of reindeer moss.

— Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Aelin, the artist previously known as Celaena, is back and ready to reclaim her throne.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of reclaim

Browse Nearby Words

retrievals

retrieve

retrieved

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Style

“Retrieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrieve. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrieve

verb

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