disenfranchise

verb

dis·en·fran·chise | \ ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīz

disenfranchised; disenfranchising; disenfranchises

Definition of disenfranchise

: 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

Other Words from disenfranchise What Does It Mean to Disenfranchise Someone? More Example Sentences Learn More About disenfranchise

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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 Florida legislation has been widely decried by Democrats and other groups—including election workers—for its potential to disenfranchise voters, particularly Black voters and other voters of color. — Alison Durkee, Forbes, 6 May 2021 The bill has been heralded by Republicans, who supported the legislation, as a way to ensure voter integrity, while Democrats claim the bill is meant to disenfranchise minority voters. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 7 Apr. 2021 Democrats see the push as retribution for last year's historic voter turnout, and believe that the changes sought by Republicans are attempts to disenfranchise young people and voters of color. — Stephen Montemayor, Star Tribune, 6 Mar. 2021 She was targeted for questioning Rudy Giuliani about his dangerous, unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and attempts to disenfranchise tens of thousands of people. — Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 10 Dec. 2020 Georgia used a variety of methods to disenfranchise Black residents. — al, 28 May 2021 Every one of them voted to disenfranchise Americans after the insurrection. — Brian Stelter, CNN, 19 May 2021 Much of the fight involved proposals to change election law that Democrats said threatened to disenfranchise voters. — Dallas News, 23 May 2021 Democrats tend to criticize reforms favored by Republicans as efforts designed to disenfranchise voters, specifically minorities. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disenfranchise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

22 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Disenfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchise. Accessed 25 Jun. 2021.

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