repatriation
noun
re·pa·tri·a·tion
(ˌ)rē-ˌpā-trē-ˈā-shən 
-ˌpa-
plural repatriations
: the act or process of restoring or returning someone or something to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship : the act of repatriating or the state of being repatriated
While officials privately acknowledge there is scant legal basis for repatriation, their public statements suggest that they would use lawsuits, diplomatic pressure and shame to bring home looted objects—not unlike Italy, Greece and Egypt, which have sought, with some success, to recover antiquities in European and American museums.—
Andrew Jacobs
Andrew JacobsThey say they have that right under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which requires that human remains and artifacts be returned to Indian tribes that can show a cultural link.—Timothy Egan
Timothy EganThis left him an illegal immigrant in Hong Kong, subject to arrest and repatriation at any time.—Nicholas D. Kristof
Nicholas D. KristofExamples of repatriation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The judge said that the Supreme Court's ruling requires Abrego Garcia's return and dismissed claims from both the White House and the Salvadoran government that repatriation is not possible.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Special Agent Jake Archer of the FBI Art Crime Team – Philadelphia Division will discuss his work investigating art and cultural property crimes, repatriations and international efforts to combat antiquities trafficking.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The three will serve out their life sentences in the U.S. after the repatriation done in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama said.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Image In his work at Sotheby’s, Simmons was typically more involved with issues of Nazi restitution than antiquity repatriation, and objects possibly lost or stolen during the Holocaust will continue to be a focus of his role at the Met.
—Graham Bowley, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repatriation
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.
Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Special Agent Jake Archer of the FBI Art Crime Team – Philadelphia Division will discuss his work investigating art and cultural property crimes, repatriations and international efforts to combat antiquities trafficking.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The three will serve out their life sentences in the U.S. after the repatriation done in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama said.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Image In his work at Sotheby’s, Simmons was typically more involved with issues of Nazi restitution than antiquity repatriation, and objects possibly lost or stolen during the Holocaust will continue to be a focus of his role at the Met.
—Graham Bowley, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repatriation
Cite this Entry
“Repatriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repatriation. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share