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 of repossess

• 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

Typically, car loans are the last thing that Americans are late to pay out of fear their vehicle could be repossessed. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026

What are my rights when my property is being repossessed? —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026

As for the mother, the attorneys said she had been sued multiple times, including for $400,000 in unpaid gambling debts, allegedly passing bad checks and allegedly selling someone a Bentley Convertible GT for $91,000, then trying to illegally repossess it. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026

Mohr worked with local law enforcement in Mexico to repossess Vermillion's car and bring it back to San Diego. —Ryan Beard, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

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