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 The relative chart versus the SPX has improved as well, with NTR rebounding from trendline support and reclaiming its 40-week moving average (MA) in the ratio. — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 During the day, the menu reclaims fry bread, a dish with a knotty history among Indigenous groups, as they were forced to adapt to US government rations when forcibly displaced from their homes. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 We've been reclaiming a lot of our ancestral homelands, our village site which is Verona Marina. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Ousmane Dembele Madrid and Mbappe’s biggest obstacle to reclaiming their Champions League crown is his former club PSG, spearheaded by France team-mate and Ballon d’Or holder Dembele. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclaim

Verb

But to regain his eligibility, Carter had to repay $427 that was provided for a plane ticket.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Surgery, called a prostatectomy, has a longer recovery time, and causes initial incontinence in nearly all patients; though most regain bladder control within a year, 5% to 10% can experience permanent incontinence.

— Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of regain

Verb

Dickson himself concedes there is still much work to be done to fully rehabilitate the Gap, as well as its sister brands.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Naples Zoo teams worked to rehabilitate her through nutrition, medical treatment and constant monitoring.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

Removing dye, however, is only useful to recycling if the process does not destroy the cellulose along with it.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Last season, his pass progression (19 out of 99) and creative threat (18 out of 99) were disappointing, though that is partly influenced by his role as a metronomic passer whose primary function was to recycle possession, rather than to break lines.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of recycle

Verb

Two explosive devices were recovered from a home in Santa Barbara County on Saturday, authorities said.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Sheriff’s detectives recovered the skull and other items from the campsite and surrounding area, but medical examiners were unable to determine a cause of death.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of recover

Verb

Linux password file retrieved The researchers demonstrated the threat on an AMD computer running a current Linux kernel.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
The family member had retrieved Molano’s vehicle and found the five large crates of cinnamon rolls inside.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of retrieve

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclaim. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of reclaim

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

recalcitrant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes