Phrase guide

claw back

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To recover or retake, with great effort, something that was lost, often by a government or official agency.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I was initially refused a refund, but eventually managed to claw back part of the money.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.