as in suffrages
the right to formally express one's position or will in an election
the Territory of Wyoming granted women the franchise in 1869, a full 51 years before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in all elections
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Recent Examples of franchises
The Patriots, which sit among the NFL’s top 5 most valuable franchises per Forbes, are searching for their first Super Bowl appearance since 2019 when quarterback Tom Brady led the organization to its sixth championship in two decades — New England beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.
—
Mark J. Burns, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Sure, the Enterprise-D’s daring mission to rescue Jean-Luc Picard from the Borg, and Michael Burnham leading Discovery to the 32nd century are the kind of Alpha Quadrant-changing events that grab headlines, but even 60-year-old multimedia franchises need to take it easy from time to time.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
All 15 teams—including expansion franchises in Portland and Toronto—are slated to play opening weekend games May 8-10 to tipoff the league’s 30th season.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
New England’s interim defensive coordinator on Thursday called Stidham a starting-caliber quarterback capable of being QB1 for multiple NFL franchises.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Dream fans will see both new franchises at home, with Toronto visiting on June 22 and Portland coming to Atlanta on July 11.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
In the creative industry, high-quality fan tributes are a testament to the enduring cultural impact of these franchises.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Minus the drama of both franchises, the tropical paradise comparison was spot on.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Most family restaurants and fast food franchises do as well.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
Mark J. Burns, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Sure, the Enterprise-D’s daring mission to rescue Jean-Luc Picard from the Borg, and Michael Burnham leading Discovery to the 32nd century are the kind of Alpha Quadrant-changing events that grab headlines, but even 60-year-old multimedia franchises need to take it easy from time to time.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
All 15 teams—including expansion franchises in Portland and Toronto—are slated to play opening weekend games May 8-10 to tipoff the league’s 30th season.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
New England’s interim defensive coordinator on Thursday called Stidham a starting-caliber quarterback capable of being QB1 for multiple NFL franchises.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Dream fans will see both new franchises at home, with Toronto visiting on June 22 and Portland coming to Atlanta on July 11.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
In the creative industry, high-quality fan tributes are a testament to the enduring cultural impact of these franchises.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Minus the drama of both franchises, the tropical paradise comparison was spot on.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Most family restaurants and fast food franchises do as well.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Franchises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/franchises. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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