How many letters does the top answer for “the act of taking something back” have?

The most common answer is recapture (9 letters).

Crossword clue: the act of taking something back

2 answers found in Letterora's clue database (Wikidata facts, Open Trivia DB, WordNet and Webster definitions — all licensed sources).

recapture 9 letters wn-def

experience anew

retaking 8 letters wn-def

the act of taking something back

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully 50% similar → larceny, stealing, theft