List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 316

SYNONYMS: recover, regain, recoup, retrieve.
These verbs all mean to get back what has been lost or taken away.

Recover is the least specific: The police recovered the stolen car. He stood in the porch a minute tor recover his composure.
Regain suggests success in recovering something that has been taken from one: She needed to regain her composure.
To recoup is to get back the equivalent of something lost: The teacher felt entitled to recoup her expenses.
Retrieve pertains to the effortful recovery of something (retrieved the ball from the end zone) or to the rectification of unfavorable consequences or the making good of something gone amiss or awry: By a brilliant coup he has retrieved a rather serious loss.