irredentism

1 of 3

noun (1)

ir·​re·​den·​tism ˌir-i-ˈden-ˌti-zəm 

: a political principle or policy directed toward the incorporation of irredentas within the boundaries of their historically or ethnically related political unit

irredentist

ˌir-i-ˈden-tist 

noun or adjective

irredentist

2 of 3

noun (2)

ir·​re·​den·​tist -ntə̇st 

plural -s

: an advocate of irredentism

irredentist

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adjective

1

: of, relating to, or involving irredentists or irredentism

an irredentist movement

irredentist sentiments

2

: living in an irredenta

irredentist populations

: concerning the people of an irredenta

irredentist problems

Examples of irredentism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His decision to invade Ukraine was no doubt motivated in part by irredentism. — Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2025

This irredentism, as Russian liberals have begun to see, has resulted in unmitigated catastrophe. — Casey Michel, The New Republic, 2 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Italian irredentista one advocating the incorporation of Italia irredenta into Italy, from (Italia) irredenta + -ista -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1883, in the meaning defined above