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 Microsoft , for example, reclaimed its $4 trillion market cap this week. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Amenities and experiences Dimly lit, the ground floor feels like a cozy living room with Texas limestone, reclaimed wood, and comfy seating by a fireplace—a nice contrast to Austin’s persistently bright outdoors. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 That in turn has given young Indians another reason to go to the streets, to protest the right to protest and reclaim public spaces. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 But no matter where your opinion falls on that particular spectrum, the film seems destined to flop upon its initial release before being reclaimed as a cult classic over the next quarter century. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim
Verb
  • The therapy provides them a safe space to confront the lasting effects of their traumatic experiences and gradually regain emotional and physical balance.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Any clinical ethicist would advise at this juncture that Pike may fully regain decision-making capacity and is already showing signs of understanding and appreciation.
    — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In her experience, the criminal justice system doesn’t do nearly enough to rehabilitate the incarcerated and address the underlying issues, often based in trauma, that lead people to commit crimes.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As of Saturday, the ministry said, more than 270 wild animals in Indonesia's part of Borneo had been rescued, rehabilitated or guided to safer habitats, including 46 orangutans rescued by YIARI.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Recycling companies have found methods to recycle around 85% of a blade, recovering materials that can replace cement ingredients, provide kiln fuel, or reinforce concrete.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Customers can keep the vessel and return for a new scent instead of throwing away or recycling a candle jar.
    — Beret Leone, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Now the modern-day Hublot (it was adopted as the brand name after the first model’s success ) hopes to recapture some of that 1980s verve with an all-new version of Crocco’s original model called the Classic Fusion Tributo.
    — Simon de Burton, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
  • New York — Starbucks is on a mission to recapture its roots as a place to sit down for a cup of coffee.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Citi's travel rewards program is officially called Citi ThankYou® Rewards, and ThankYou® Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, travel, transfers to travel programs and more.
    — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Every wager on theScore Bet earns PENN Play Rewards that can be redeemed for bonus bets or turned into real-world perks at PENN properties.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Raphaëlle, meanwhile, is recovering after a long rehabilitation and must confront the loss of her mobility, which prevents her from conducting investigations with her former energy.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The stocks have recovered a bit since then and were trading up on Tuesday.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Asked during the news conference how much money taxpayers could expect to recover, Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald acknowledged that fraudulent proceeds are sometimes spent before investigators can retrieve them.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Days later, on October 5, OpenAI installed a camera in that conference room, and the CCTV footage allegedly showed Alfozan attempting to retrieve the recording device that same day.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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