repossess

verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes 

 also  -ˈses

repossessed; repossessing; repossesses

transitive verb

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

repossession

ˌrē-pə-ˈze-shən 

 also  -ˈse-

noun

repossessor

ˌrē-pə-ˈze-sər 

 also  -ˈse-

noun

Synonyms

• retrieve
• regain
• recapture
• reclaim
• recover

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

The government quickly seized and repossessed all of their assets, most of which were purchased with investors’ money. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 8 June 2025

The prosecutors alleged that one of those victims — who lost $90,000 — suffered significant hardship, including being evicted from her apartment and having her car repossessed. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 6 May 2025

His company filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and had one of its helicopters repossessed late last year, just eight months into its lease. —Patrick McGeehan, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Lately, Antonio had been repossessing a few cars each week. —Eli Saslow, New York Times, 4 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for repossess

• abs
• acquiesce
• ancestress
• authoress
• coalesce
• decompress
• dispossess
• faithfulness
• letterpress
• mayoress
• murderess
• nonetheless

Kids Definition

repossess

verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes 

: to regain or retake possession of

repossession

-ˈzesh-ən 

noun

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

repossessor

-ˈze-sər 

noun