entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt How to pronounce entitlement (audio)
en-
1
a
: the state or condition of being entitled : right
b
: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract
2
: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges
3
: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group
also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

Examples of entitlement in a Sentence

my entitlement to a refund celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement entitlements such as medical aid for the elderly and poor
Recent Examples on the Web His standing as the party standard-bearer — both politically and on policy — is now undisputed, having transformed the party’s positions on free trade, spending, entitlement programs and international affairs. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Narcissists are renowned for their insatiable need for admiration, their sense of entitlement and their lack of empathy towards others. Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Schiff and others have called for this program to be an entitlement—meaning everyone who meets the income requirements receives the subsidy. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 His rationale echoes the narrative of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who consistently frames Beijing’s claim over Taiwan through a lens of historical entitlement and national rejuvenation. Will Ripley, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Roughly eighty-five per cent of the budget is military spending and entitlements, which neither Gaetz nor his colleagues seem willing to cut. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 The Hydro Flask entitlement is one of many high-profile deals U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced since president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt took over at the helm in 2021. Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 However, their apparent sense of entitlement and subtle guilt-tripping have made dealing with this situation more challenging than anticipated. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024 Before Zac’s death, Sharma’s embittered entitlement grows acute. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entitlement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entitlement was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near entitlement

Cite this Entry

“Entitlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entitlement. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

entitlement

noun
en·​ti·​tle·​ment
1
: the state or condition of being entitled : claim
evidence of victim's entitlement to money seizedNational Law Journal
2
: a right to benefits that is granted especially by law or contract (as an insurance policy)

Note: Some courts have held that entitlements are a property interest and therefore subject to procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when denied by federal or state governments.

3
: a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement
also : the benefits distributed by such a program

More from Merriam-Webster on entitlement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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