Reclaim — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ri-ˈklām/ re·claim

Meaning & Definition of Reclaim

Reclaim (verb)

  1. to recall from wrong or improper conduct, reform
  2. tame, subdue
  3. to rescue from an undesirable state; also, to restore to a previous natural state

Reclaim (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to get again in one's possession

    "she reclaimed the championship title after losing it last year"

    similar: get back, re-collect, reacquire, recapture, recoup, recover, regain, repossess, retake, retrieve
    related: recruit, replenish, redeem, repurchase, rescue
    near: lose, mislay, misplace

  2. to make better in behavior or character

    "a program to reclaim juvenile offenders by requiring them to do community service"

    similar: habilitate, redeem, reform, regenerate, rehabilitate
    related: reeducate, amend, improve, refine, cleanse, purify, restore
    near: abase, canker, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lower, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp

  3. 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"

    similar: recover, recycle
    related: reuse, process, reprocess

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reclaim

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reclaim:

get back, re-collect, reacquire, recapture, recoup, recover, regain, repossess, retake, retrieve, habilitate, redeem, reform, regenerate, rehabilitate, recycle

Related Words for Reclaim

recruit, replenish, repurchase, rescue, reeducate, amend, improve, refine, cleanse, purify, restore, reuse, process, reprocess

Near Antonyms of Reclaim

lose, mislay, misplace, abase, canker, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lower, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp

Word Forms of Reclaim

Inflections: reclaimed, reclaiming, reclaims

Derived words: reclaimable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Reclaim

Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out claim

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Reclaim

What does "Reclaim" mean?

"Reclaim" means to recall from wrong or improper conduct, reform. As a verb, it is defined as: to recall from wrong or improper conduct, reform. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reclaim"?

Other words for "Reclaim" include get back, re-collect, reacquire, recapture, recoup, recover, regain and repossess. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reclaim" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reclaim"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reclaim". Common alternatives include get back, re-collect, reacquire, recapture, recoup, recover, regain, repossess, retake and retrieve.

How do you use "Reclaim" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reclaim" in a sentence: "she reclaimed the championship title after losing it last year"; "a program to reclaim juvenile offenders by requiring them to do community service"; "after reclaiming the glycerin from used vegetable oil, you can use the oil to create a fuel that burns cleaner than regular gasoline".

Is "Reclaim" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reclaim" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Reclaim"?

"Reclaim" is pronounced /ri-ˈklām/ and divided into syllables as re·claim.

What is the origin of the word "Reclaim"?

"Reclaim" comes from Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out claim. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Reclaim" meaning "to get again in one's possession"?

When "Reclaim" (verb) means to get again in one's possession, synonyms include get back, re-collect, reacquire, recapture, recoup and recover.