What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reclaim
Example
The government is trying to reclaim land that was illegally seized by a corporation. [reclaim: verb]
Example
She was able to reclaim her stolen bike from the pawn shop. [reclaim: verb]
Example
The company is working to reclaim the trust of its customers after a major scandal. [reclaim: verb]
retrieve
Example
Can you help me retrieve my keys from under the couch? [retrieve: verb]
Example
The firefighters were able to retrieve the cat from the burning building. [retrieve: verb]
Example
I need to retrieve some files from my computer before the meeting. [retrieve: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retrieve is more commonly used than reclaim in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Reclaim is less common and is often used in more formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reclaim and retrieve?
Reclaim is typically associated with a more formal or legal tone, while retrieve is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
