disenfranchise

verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīz 

disenfranchised; disenfranchising; disenfranchises

transitive verb

: to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity

especially : to deprive of the right to vote

disenfranchising the poor and elderly

disenfranchisement

ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīz-mənt 

-chəz-

noun

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What Does It Mean to Disenfranchise Someone?

Disenfranchise first appeared in English in the 17th century, preceded for a period of some 200 years by the now uncommon word disfranchise. Though both words are, rather obviously, related to franchise, they have nothing to do with that word’s current sense “a team that is a member of a professional sports league." The original meaning of franchise was “freedom from servitude or restraint.” Although disenfranchise does broadly signify depriving someone of any of a number of legal rights, it is most often used today of withholding the right to vote, or of the diminished social or political status of a marginalized group.

Examples of disenfranchise in a Sentence

They disenfranchised poor people by making property ownership a requirement for registering to vote.

Recent Examples on the Web

The piece emphasizes that Californians, especially Democrats and independents, strongly favor voting by mail and already rely on it at very high rates, suggesting that restricting mail ballots would disenfranchise large numbers of lawful voters. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Given the tight timeframe before the election, Sher is seeking both temporary relief and an interim injunction in the petition to ensure eligible citizens are not disenfranchised while bureaucratic procedures are reviewed. — Natasha Mozgovaya, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

This quartet of unlikely rock stars traveled across the country and around the world connecting with the disenfranchised everywhere, while sparking a movement that would resonate with two generations of outcasts across the globe. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

The states also warned that implementing the changes on a compressed timeline could disrupt election preparations and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disenfranchise

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

disenfranchise

verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfran-ˌchīz 

: to deprive of a legal right

especially : to deprive of the right to vote

disenfranchisement

-ˌchīz-mənt 

-chəz-

noun

Legal Definition

disenfranchise

transitive verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfran-ˌchīz 

disenfranchised; disenfranchising

: disfranchise

disenfranchisement noun