salvage

To save something from being lost, destroyed, or wasted.

• We salvaged some furniture after the flood.
• She tried to salvage the deal.
• Can anything be salvaged from the wreck?

How to use it: salvage something from something (We salvaged a few books from the fire.)

Similar words: save, rescue, recover

Common phrases: salvage something from something, salvage a deal, salvage your reputation

To change a false statement so that it becomes true.

• An extra condition can salvage the theorem.
• She salvaged the false proposition by narrowing its scope.
• Can we salvage this claim with a weaker conclusion?

How to use it: salvage something by doing something (We salvaged the theorem by adding another condition.)

Common phrases: salvage a proposition, salvage the theorem, salvage a claim

Things saved from damage or waste that can still be used or sold.

• The yard sells salvage from old ships.
• They bought the damaged car at a salvage auction.
• Some of the salvage could be used for repairs.

Similar words: scrap

Common phrases: salvage yard, salvage sale, salvage value