1. a political movement or policy seeking to recover territory formerly belonging to a country but now under foreign control.
Usage: often capitalized when referring to a specific historical movement; commonly used in political and historical contexts

Examples

• The government's irredentism led to tensions with neighboring countries over disputed border regions.
• Italian irredentism in the early 20th century focused on reclaiming territories in the Balkans and Mediterranean.
• Some scholars argue that irredentism has been a driving force in numerous regional conflicts throughout history.
• The nationalist party's platform was built on irredentism and the promise to restore lost lands.
• International law generally discourages irredentism as a basis for territorial claims.
• The dispute between the two nations was rooted in competing irredentist claims to the same region.