What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ransomed
Example
The pirates demanded a large sum of money to be ransomed. [ransomed: verb]
Example
The kidnapped child was finally ransomed after several days of negotiation. [ransomed: past participle]
reclaimed
Example
The city reclaimed the abandoned lot and turned it into a community garden. [reclaimed: verb]
Example
She reclaimed her stolen bike from the pawn shop. [reclaimed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reclaimed is more commonly used than ransomed in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and has more positive connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ransomed and reclaimed?
Both ransomed and reclaimed are relatively formal words, but ransomed may be more associated with legal or criminal contexts, while reclaimed is more commonly used in environmental or industrial settings.
