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

Californians want transparency, not Sacramento politicians working behind closed doors to disenfranchise voters and draw the lines that benefit themselves. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025

The cost and time could end up disenfranchising certain voters, the plaintiffs argue. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025

Carter said his most urgent priorities if re-elected will be to address the ongoing opioid addiction crisis, building more housing, improving downtown and taking care of city residents who have been targeted by immigration enforcement or been disenfranchised in other ways. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025

Young people felt stifled and disenfranchised, setting the stage for subcultures to flourish. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 8 Oct. 2025

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