disenfranchise

verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīz How to pronounce disenfranchise (audio)
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The platform is also notorious for quietly disenfranchising artists, by letting people rip off their original work to feed those Frankensteins. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 July 2025 An August election date may disenfranchise voters overseas who will not receive ballots in time or voters who need to vote early or by absentee ballot, Smith said. Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025 While Democrats often struggle to articulate a unified, compelling message, Trump’s simplicity proves consistently powerful, especially among working-class voters feeling disenfranchised by traditional political messaging. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025 Sinners is both a triumphant bellow and a Blues song about the American South for and by those who built it, and were simultaneously disenfranchised in it. Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disenfranchise

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disenfranchise was in 1664

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Cite this Entry

“Disenfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchise. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

disenfranchise

verb
dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfran-ˌchīz How to pronounce disenfranchise (audio)
: to deprive of a legal right
especially : to deprive of the right to vote
disenfranchisement noun

Legal Definition

disenfranchise

transitive verb
dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfran-ˌchīz How to pronounce disenfranchise (audio)
disenfranchised; disenfranchising
disenfranchisement noun

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