Recover vs. Retrieve — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Recover involves regaining possession or returning to a normal state after a loss or deterioration, whereas retrieve pertains to getting something back or accessing information stored elsewhere.
Difference Between Recover and Retrieve
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Recover typically relates to regaining or restoring something that has been lost, damaged, or deteriorated, such as health, data, or stability. On the other hand, retrieve focuses on the act of getting something back or accessing information, often without the connotation of prior loss or damage.
While recovery can require a process of healing or reconstruction, retrieval usually involves locating and pulling out information or items that are needed.
Recovery can be a component of retrieval when what is being retrieved has been compromised, but typically, retrieval is a straightforward process of getting hold of what is already intact.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Regaining possession after loss
Getting back or accessing information
Connotation
Restoration from a loss or decline
Fetching something stored or kept
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Examples
Recovering health, data recovery
Retrieving files, fetching a ball
Process
Often involves healing or reconstruction
Involves locating and obtaining
Typical Usage
Health, data, stability
Information, objects
Compare with Definitions
Recover
Regain possession of something stolen or lost.
The police helped him recover his stolen car.
Retrieve
To get something back.
He went to retrieve his coat from the office.
Recover
To restore or return to any former better state.
The economy is slowly recovering.
Retrieve
To recover or access data from a storage system.
You can retrieve your document from the cloud.
Recover
To return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
She is recovering from a severe flu.
Retrieve
To fetch or find and bring back something.
The dog was trained to retrieve balls and frisbees.
Recover
To get back to a safe position.
He recovered his balance just before falling.
Retrieve
To bring something back, especially from memory.
She quickly retrieved the facts during the meeting.
Recover
To find or regain something lost.
Data recovery software can help recover lost files.
Retrieve
To rectify or correct a situation.
He attempted to retrieve the situation by apologizing.
Recover
Return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength
Neil is still recovering from shock
The economy has begun to recover
Retrieve
Get or bring (something) back from somewhere
Steven stooped and retrieved his hat
I was sent to retrieve the balls from his garden
Recover
Find or regain possession of (something stolen or lost)
Police recovered a stolen video
Retrieve
Find or extract (information stored in a computer)
Other features include the ability to store, update, retrieve, and print your data
Recover
Remove or extract (an energy source or industrial chemical) for use, reuse, or waste treatment
Only 13 per cent of CFC refrigerant was being recovered from domestic fridges
Retrieve
Put right or improve (an unwelcome situation)
He made one last desperate attempt to retrieve the situation
Recover
A defined position of a firearm forming part of a military drill
Bring the firelock to the recover
Retrieve
An act of retrieving something, especially game that has been shot
Watch the dog make the long retrieves
Recover
To get back (something lost or taken away), especially by making an effort
Recovered his keys near the water cooler.
Recovered the ball in the end zone.
Retrieve
The possibility of recovery
He ruined himself beyond retrieve
Recover
To search for, find, and bring back
Divers recovered the body.
Researchers recovering fossils.
Retrieve
To get back into one's grasp, possession, or control, especially from a known place or a place of storage
Retrieved his coat from the closet.
Recover
To get back control or possession of (land) by military conquest or legal action.
Retrieve
To go to and bring or escort back (someone)
Retrieved his friend from the bus station.
Recover
To have (the use, possession, or control of something) restored
Recovered the use of his fingers.
Retrieve
To search for, find, and bring back
Divers retrieving artifacts from a shipwreck.
Recover
To regain the use of (a faculty) or be restored to (a normal or usual condition)
Recovered his wits after hearing the news.
Recovered his health after treatment.
Retrieve
To gain access to (stored information).
Recover
To cause to be restored to a normal or usual condition
After two weeks on the medicine, he was fully recovered.
Retrieve
To recall to mind (a memory, for example); remember.
Recover
To discover or be able to follow (a trail or scent) after losing it.
Retrieve
To rescue or save
Tried to retrieve him from the degradation of life as a runaway.
Recover
To procure (usable substances, such as metal) from unusable substances, such as ore or waste.
Retrieve
(Sports) To make a difficult but successful return of (a ball or shuttlecock, as in tennis or badminton).
Recover
To bring (land) into or return to a suitable condition for use; reclaim.
Retrieve
To restore to a former or desirable condition
Did whatever he could to retrieve his honor.
Recover
To bring under observation again
"watching the comet since it was first recovered—first spotted since its 1910 visit" (Christian Science Monitor).
Retrieve
To rectify the unfavorable consequences of; remedy
"An attempt was made to retrieve the blunder" (Francis Parkman).
Recover
To regain a normal or usual condition, as of health
A patient who recovered from the flu.
Businesses that recovered quickly from the recession.
Retrieve
To find and bring back game or a thrown object
A dog trained to retrieve.
Recover
To receive a favorable judgment in a lawsuit.
Retrieve
The act of retrieving; retrieval.
Recover
(transitive) To get back, to regain (a physical thing; in astronomy and navigation, sight of a thing or a signal).
After days of inquiries, he finally recovered his lost wallet.
For days telescopes surveyed the skies to recover the small asteroid.
Retrieve
(Sports) A difficult but successful return of a ball or shuttlecock.
Recover
(transitive) to salvage, to extricate, to rescue (a thing or person)
They recovered three of the explorers very much alive, then another, wracked with severe hypothermia, who was taken to hospital.
Retrieve
(transitive) To regain or get back something.
To retrieve one's character or independence; to retrieve a thrown ball
Recover
(transitive) To replenish to, resume (a good state of mind or body).
At the top of the hill I asked to stop for a few minutes to recover my strength.
Retrieve
(transitive) To rescue (a creature).
Recover
To obtain a positive judgement; to win in a lawsuit.
The plaintiff recovered in his suit, being awarded declaratory relief and a clearing of his name.
Retrieve
(transitive) To salvage something
Recover
To gain as compensation or reparation, usually by formal legal process
To recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a legal action or that is owing
To recover lands in ejectment or common recovery
Retrieve
(transitive) To remedy or rectify something.
Recover
To reach (a place), arrive at.
Retrieve
(transitive) To remember or recall something.
Recover
To restore to good health, consciousness, life etc.
Retrieve
(transitive) To fetch or carry back something, especially (computing) a file or data record.
Recover
To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of.
To recover lost time
Retrieve
(transitive) To fetch and bring in game.
The cook doesn't care what's shot, only what's actually retrieved.
Recover
(intransitive) To regain one's composure, balance etc.
Spinning round, he caught a stone with his ankle, but recovered quickly before turning to face me.
Retrieve
(intransitive) To fetch and bring in game systematically.
Dog breeds called 'retrievers' were selected for retrieving.
Recover
To get better, to regain health or prosperity.
I was hurt, but I knew I’d recover, given time.
Without calling in Business Recovery experts, the company saw trade and investor confidence recover sharply in the wake of the crisis.
I lost out in the deal, but I quickly recovered financially
It takes time and good health to recover from injury, surgery, a bereavement and emotional turmoil
Retrieve
(intransitive) To fetch or carry back systematically, notably as a game.
Most dogs love retrieving, regardless of what object is thrown.
Recover
To recover from
Retrieve
To make a difficult but successful return of the ball.
Recover
To cover again.
Retrieve
(obsolete) To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair (a loss or damage).
Recover
(roofing) To add a new roof membrane or steep-slope covering over an existing one.
Retrieve
A retrieval
Recover
(obsolete) Recovery.
Retrieve
(sports) The return of a difficult ball
Recover
(military) A position of holding a firearm during exercises, whereby the lock is at shoulder height and the sling facing out.
Retrieve
(obsolete) A seeking again; a discovery.
Recover
(dated) The forward movement in rowing, after one stroke to take another (recovery)
Retrieve
(obsolete) The recovery of game once sprung.
Recover
To cover again.
Retrieve
To find again; to recover; to regain; to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to retrieve independence.
With late repentance now they would retrieveThe bodies they forsook, and wish to live.
Recover
To get or obtain again; to get renewed possession of; to win back; to regain.
David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away.
Retrieve
To recall; to bring back.
To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits.
Recover
To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of; as, to recover lost time.
Even good men have many failings and lapses to lament and recover.
Retrieve
To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair, as a loss or damadge.
Accept my sorrow, and retrieve my fall.
There is much to be done . . . and much to be retrieved.
Recover
To restore from sickness, faintness, or the like; to bring back to life or health; to cure; to heal.
The wine in my bottle will recover him.
Retrieve
To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve.
Recover
To overcome; to get the better of, - as a state of mind or body.
I do hope to recover my late hurt.
When I had recovered a little my first surprise.
Retrieve
A seeking again; a discovery.
Recover
To rescue; to deliver.
That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him.
Retrieve
The recovery of game once sprung; - an old sporting term.
Recover
To gain by motion or effort; to obtain; to reach; to come to.
The forest is not three leagues off;If we recover that, we're sure enough.
Except he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge he was to die.
Retrieve
Get or find back; recover the use of;
She regained control of herself
She found her voice and replied quickly
Recover
To gain as a compensation; to obtain in return for injury or debt; as, to recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a suit at law; to obtain title to by judgement in a court of law; as, to recover lands in ejectment or common recovery; to gain by legal process; as, to recover judgement against a defendant.
Retrieve
Of trained dogs
Recover
To regain health after sickness; to grow well; to be restored or cured; hence, to regain a former state or condition after misfortune, alarm, etc.; - often followed by of or from; as, to recover from a state of poverty; to recover from fright.
Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease.
Retrieve
Recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection;
I can't remember saying any such thing
I can't think what her last name was
Can you remember her phone number?
Do you remember that he once loved you?
Call up memories
Recover
To make one's way; to come; to arrive.
With much ado the Christians recovered to Antioch.
Recover
To obtain a judgement; to succeed in a lawsuit; as, the plaintiff has recovered in his suit.
Recover
Recovery.
Recover
Get or find back; recover the use of;
She regained control of herself
She found her voice and replied quickly
Recover
Get over an illness or shock;
The patient is recuperating
Recover
Regain a former condition after a financial loss;
We expect the stocks to recover to $2.90
The company managed to recuperate
Recover
Regain or make up for;
Recuperate one's losses
Recover
Of materials from waste products
Recover
Cover anew;
Recover a chair
Common Curiosities
How is retrieve different from recover?
Retrieve focuses on fetching or getting back, while recover implies a restoration process.
What is data recovery?
It is the process of restoring data that has been lost, accidentally deleted, or corrupted.
Is retrieving always related to physical items?
No, it can also pertain to information or data stored digitally.
Can you retrieve something that hasn't been lost?
Yes, retrieving often involves accessing something where it is stored.
What does it mean to recover something?
To regain it after it has been lost or deteriorated.
What does it mean to retrieve in computing?
To access data or files from a database or other storage system.
Can recover apply to financial situations?
Yes, such as a business recovering from financial losses.
What skills are necessary for effective data retrieval?
Knowledge of database management and search algorithms.
How can one facilitate faster recovery from an illness?
Through proper rest, medication, and following medical advice.
What is an example of recovering in a non-physical sense?
Recovering a sense of confidence or emotional stability.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
