extradite
Americanverb (used with object)
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to give up (an alleged fugitive or criminal) to another state or nation at its request.
-
to obtain the extradition of.
verb
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to surrender (an alleged offender) for trial to a foreign state
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to procure the extradition of
Other Word Forms
- unextradited adjective
Etymology
Origin of extradite
First recorded in 1860–65; back formation from extradition
Explanation
When a government extradites someone, it delivers that person to another country or state, usually to be tried for a crime. Treaties between countries often require them to extradite suspected criminals. You might hear about a criminal attempting to hide in one country, only to have its government extradite him back to the place where he committed the crime. While individual countries sometimes resist the pressure to extradite suspects, treaties between countries often encourage them to do so. The verb extradite comes from its noun form, extradition, which was likely invented by Voltaire from a combination of the Latin ex, "out," and traditionem, "a delivering up or handing over."
Vocabulary lists containing extradite
This Week in Words: April 6–12, 2019
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In Cold Blood
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The Devil in the White City
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He said, ‘I’ve caught him, I’m willing to extradite him back to the United States.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Still, he didn’t return to face his accusers, and the UAE appeared to have little inclination to extradite him, said Ahmad Hadi, 48, a physician who is Ashaal’s brother-in-law.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
That left him with "only Chinese nationality" -- compelling Cambodian authorities to extradite him to his home country, he added.
From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026
Alexander Butyagin is under arrest in Warsaw, awaiting a Polish court decision on a request to extradite him to Ukraine.
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025
It had also been a year since the governor of Pennsylvania had agreed to extradite Wes to his home state of Maryland to await trial.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
