Synonyms

repatriation

American

[ree-pey-tree-ey-shuhn] / riˌpeɪ triˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

the act or process of returning a person or thing to the country of origin.

If conditions allow, refugees can be offered the option of voluntary repatriation rather than resettlement in countries offering asylum.
Museums are increasingly facing pressure from formerly colonized countries seeking repatriation of their priceless antiquities.

Other Word Forms

nonrepatriation noun

Etymology

Origin of repatriation

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin repatriation-, stem of repatriatio “a returning to one's fatherland,” equivalent to repatriāt-, stem of repatriāre + Latin -iō -ion ( def. ); repatriate ( def. )

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.

Chinese police said the repatriation took place recently but didn’t disclose when or provide details on the suspected crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Turkey is now seeking the repatriation of other antiquities taken during the Ottoman era: an ancient marble torso called the "Old Fisherman" from Berlin, and dozens of Iznik tiles held at France's Louvre museum.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

A police escort transferred bodies to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on Friday morning for the repatriation to Iran, after they were stored in two freezers at Galle National Hospital.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

A local magistrate ordered that the bodies be handed over to the Iranian embassy in Colombo for repatriation to the next of kin.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

In the evenings she reads while Etienne makes phone calls, petitions repatriation authorities, and writes letters.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023