repatriate

verb

re·​pa·​tri·​ate (ˌ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ˌāt How to pronounce repatriate (audio)
-ˈpa-
repatriated; repatriating
Synonyms of repatriate

transitive verb

: to restore or return to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship
repatriate prisoners of war
repatriate
(ˌ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ət How to pronounce repatriate (audio)
-trē-ˌāt, 
-ˈpa-
noun

Examples of repatriate in a Sentence

Countries are required to repatriate prisoners of war when conflict has ended.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last June, Shara signed a decree permitting foreign investors full ownership rights in most sectors, an unrestricted ability to repatriate their profits, and extensive tax and customs concessions. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Nigeria will be restored to an index that measures equities in frontier markets, three years after it was delisted over concerns about the ability to repatriate earnings. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026 In July this year, Jamaica’s government said two of its three citizens deported to the tiny kingdom have formally declined offers to be repatriated to the Caribbean nation. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 In July of this year, dozens of objects were seized from the Metropolitan Museum of Art with the intent of repatriating them to the same three countries. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repatriate

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin repatriatus, past participle of repatriare to go home again — more at repair entry 3

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repatriate was in 1611

Rhymes for repatriate

See All Rhymes for repatriate

Browse Nearby Words

repatriable
repatriate
repatriation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Repatriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repatriate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

repatriate

1 of 2 verb
re·​pa·​tri·​ate
(ˈ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ˌāt, 
-ˈpa-
repatriated; repatriating
: to return to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship
repatriate prisoners of war
repatriation
(ˌ)rē-ˌpā-trē-ˈā-shən, 
-ˌpa-
noun

repatriate

2 of 2 noun
re·​pa·​tri·​ate
(ˈ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ət, 
-tre-ˌāt
: one that is repatriated

More from Merriam-Webster on repatriate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for repatriate

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