disenfranchise
verb
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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
Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Democrats and many groups that champion voter access say there is little evidence of noncitizens voting and say the bill would disenfranchise millions of voters – including Republicans – by creating new burdens to prove citizenship.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Layering new voter registration requirements on top of these realities risks disenfranchising eligible citizens.
—Delmarie Alicea, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Democrats contend that the legislation will disenfranchise many of their voters because of its strict requirements for proving one’s identity and citizenship.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disenfranchise
Cite this Entry
“Disenfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchise. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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disenfranchise
verb
Legal Definition
disenfranchise
transitive verb
