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
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
One of the conference’s speakers, Raphael Greenberg, has criticized Israel’s archaeological work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, claiming that these projects are designed to disenfranchise the Palestinian people who reside there.
—Alex Greenberger For Artnews, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025
Republicans have long sought these changes to election practices, but critics say demanding proof of citizenship could disenfranchise poor and older voters and suppress votes.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Some states disenfranchise people for felony convictions; Mississippi includes offenses such as shoplifting, and disenfranchises a far greater share of Black citizens than white.
—Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disenfranchise
Cite this Entry
“Disenfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchise. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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disenfranchise
verb
Legal Definition
disenfranchise
transitive verb
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