repossess
verb
re·pos·sess
ˌrē-pə-ˈzes 
also -ˈses
repossessed; repossessing; repossesses
1
a
: to regain possession of
b
: to take possession of (something bought) from a buyer in default of the payment of installments due
2
: to restore to possession
Examples of repossess in a Sentence
The bank repossessed her truck.
if you don't pay off the loan, the bank will come and repossess your car
Recent Examples on the Web
After the scheme came to light, federal officials said the dealership repossessed the vehicle.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
When some of these planters defaulted, Jacob repossessed their plantations.
—Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
People whose cars were [repossessed].
—Dan Snyder, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The car was repossessed with the 2-year-old inside in the 2400 block of Fullerton Street in Detroit on Friday, March 27, according to MLive and NBC affiliate WDIV-TV.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repossess
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Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
When some of these planters defaulted, Jacob repossessed their plantations.
—Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
People whose cars were [repossessed].
—Dan Snyder, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The car was repossessed with the 2-year-old inside in the 2400 block of Fullerton Street in Detroit on Friday, March 27, according to MLive and NBC affiliate WDIV-TV.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repossess
Cite this Entry
“Repossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repossess. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
repossess
transitive verb
re·pos·sess
ˌrē-pə-ˈzes
: to regain possession of
especially
: to take possession of again by judicial process or self-help upon default of the payment of installments due compare foreclose, seize sense 2
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