Repossessing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when a lender takes back property from a borrower due to failure to meet loan payments. This term often has a negative connotation because it involves financial issues and loss of property.

• The bank is repossessing the car because he missed several payments
• Repossessing homes has become more common during the economic downturn

Used when taking back something that legally belongs to you, often after a period of not having it or losing it. This term generally implies a rightful owner restoring possession of their property.

• She went to the lost and found to reclaim her lost wallet
• The land was reclaimed by the state after years of legal disputes

Used when getting back something that is lost or misplaced. This term has a neutral or positive connotation and implies an intentional effort to recover the item.

• I need to retrieve my jacket from the office
• The dog was trained to retrieve the ball from the water

Used when taking control of something quickly and forcibly, often through legal or authoritative actions. This term can have a negative connotation and implies authority or power in action.

• The police seized the drugs during the raid
• The company seized the opportunity to expand its business