Definition of dispossessnext
as in to evict
to end the occupancy or possession of opponents of gentrification claim that the process unfairly dispossesses poorer residents of their long-established homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dispossess Calling his father and uncle gusanos — or worms, a Spanish-language term coined by Castro to denigrate those fleeing the island — the agent seized the bank and in an instant dispossessed a family that arrived from Spain in the 16th century. Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Calling his father and uncle gusanos — or worms, a Spanish-language term coined by Castro to denigrate those fleeing the island — the agent seized the bank and, in an instant, dispossessed a family that arrived from Spain in the 16th century. CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Their destruction was also a central part of the federal campaign to subdue and dispossess tribal nations. Tyson Running Wolf, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026 The growth of colonial Australian society came at the expense of the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who were often dispossessed of their land, exposed to foreign diseases, and either pushed into marginal areas or forcibly assimilated into European culture. Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispossess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispossess
Verb
  • Sarah Ferguson’s reported whereabouts have been revealed after she was evicted from Royal Lodge on January 31 following her ex-husband, former Prince Andrew’s, ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
    Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 24 July 2026
  • In extreme situations, facilities might send a resident to an emergency room for evaluation or to a psychiatric hospital, or evict or discharge them.
    Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Verb
  • Streaming residuals were a key issue for both writers and actors during the 2023 strike, as workers argued that streaming platforms had broken the traditional TV model and deprived them of income needed to survive in an uncertain industry.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Crews used tactical burns overnight, deliberately consuming vegetation ahead of active sectors to deprive the main fire of fuel.
    Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dispossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispossess. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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