1
as in emancipation
the act of setting free from slavery
the Emancipation Proclamation was merely the first step in the full enfranchisement of African-Americans
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Recent Examples of enfranchisement
The years leading up to the creation of the Freedman’s Memorial saw the full enfranchisement of Black men—and then the dimming of this vision.
—
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Many claim that with the abolition of slavery and the enfranchisement of women, and many other new laws like civil rights legislation and changing gender norms, there has been great progress.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
In theory, this transition inaugurates a chapter of enfranchisement, but in the next scene the Senegalese businessmen are in suits, and the white men return with briefcases full of money as bribes.
—Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Many claim that with the abolition of slavery and the enfranchisement of women, and many other new laws like civil rights legislation and changing gender norms, there has been great progress.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
In theory, this transition inaugurates a chapter of enfranchisement, but in the next scene the Senegalese businessmen are in suits, and the white men return with briefcases full of money as bribes.
—Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enfranchisement
Noun
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Hiding in plain sight Pennsylvania, like many northern states, responded to the Declaration of Independence’s rhetorical commitment to liberty by enacting a gradual emancipation law.—
Carolyn Zola,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
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Because emancipation, remember, had been an executive order.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Noun
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From inspiring fights for independence abroad to leading movements like Civil Rights, women's suffrage and LGBTQ+ rights, the more than 1,300-word document continues to make its mark across the globe.—
Alan Wheeler,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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Influential Christian leaders are calling to repeal women’s suffrage.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Noun
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At many points, this project investigates mothers who are men or nongendered, but who care for other Black people, especially in the pursuit of liberation from oppression.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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According to the Museum, more than 150,000 troops participated in the invasion, one of the largest amphibious military operations in history and a pivotal step toward the liberation of Western Europe.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enfranchisement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfranchisement. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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