returnee

noun

re·​turn·​ee ri-ˌtər-ˈnē How to pronounce returnee (audio)
: one who returns
especially : one returning to the U.S. after military service overseas

Examples of returnee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Much of the national program was built by returnees such as Pan Jianwei and Lu Chaoyang, who then constructed institutional recruitment empires through the 2008 Thousand Talents Program. — Kris Naudts, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Riley is West Aurora’s leading returnee on offense, rushing for a team-high 603 yards and catching 27 passes for 216 yards last season. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Start with the three key returnees in Matt McCoy, Samson Okunlola and Ryan Rodriguez. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Aside from Pullman from the Thunderbolts*, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/ the Red Guardian and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes are among other returnees. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for returnee

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of returnee was in 1944

Rhymes for returnee

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Browse Nearby Words

returned shipment rate
returnee
return envelope
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Cite this Entry

“Returnee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/returnee. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

returnee

noun
re·​turn·​ee ri-ˌtər-ˈnē How to pronounce returnee (audio)
: one who returns
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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