disenfranchise

American  

[dis-en-fran-chahyz] / ˌdɪs ɛnˈfræn tʃaɪz /

verb (used with object)

disenfranchises, present (3rd person singular) disenfranchised, past participle, past disenfranchising present participle

1. to deprive (a person) of a right or privilege of citizenship, especially the right to vote.

   This electoral law disenfranchises people in prison and on parole, but allows those on probation to vote.

2. to deprive of the rights or privileges of full participation in society or in any community or organization, especially of the opportunity to influence policy or make one’s voice heard.

   We are intentionally seeking to engage all employees in these discussions so as not to disenfranchise any social minority.

3. to deprive of a commercial or legal franchise.

   There’s been talk of disenfranchising the cricket team for violation of the league’s bylaws.

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disenfranchise British  

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈfræntʃɪzmənt, ˌdɪsɪnˈfræntʃaɪz /

verb

1. to deprive (a person) of the right to vote or other rights of citizenship

2. to deprive (a place) of the right to send representatives to an elected body

3. to deprive (a business concern, etc) of some privilege or right

4. to deprive (a person, place, etc) of any franchise or right

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• disenfranchiser
  noun
• disenfranchisement
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has disenfranchised
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have disenfranchised
  perfect
• am disenfranchising
  progressive 1st person singular
• are disenfranchising
  progressive
• have been disenfranchising
  perfect progressive
• has been disenfranchising
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• disenfranchises
  singular 3rd person
• disenfranchising
  participle
• is disenfranchising
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had disenfranchised
  perfect
• was disenfranchising
  progressive singular
• were disenfranchising
  progressive plural
• disenfranchised
  simple
• disenfranchised
  participle
• had been disenfranchising
  perfect progressive

Future

• will disenfranchise
  simple
• will have disenfranchised
  perfect
• will have been disenfranchising
  perfect progressive
• will be disenfranchising
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of disenfranchise

First recorded in 1620–30; dis- ¹ + enfranchise

Explanation

Enfranchise means to give someone the right to vote. Disenfranchise means to take it away. The U.S. has a shameful history of disenfranchising African-American citizens through bogus laws and outright intimidation. Being disenfranchised can make you feel like you don't belong or that you have no power. When kids feel disenfranchised in school––when they feel like what they're being asked to learn doesn't matter, or that their teachers don't care about them, that whether they try or not they're going to fail––they stop learning.

Example Sentences

Opposition MPs have criticised the delay, saying it would potentially disenfranchise millions of voters.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

"I will continue to make sure that the more than 65,000 voters who Griffin seeks to disenfranchise have their voices heard. No matter how long it takes, I will not stop doing what is right."

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2025

“That exhibit, in and of itself, is no reason to strip the voters of Bridgeport of their rights and disenfranchise them.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2023

The lists could find their way into the hands of malicious actors and individual efforts to inspect the rolls could disenfranchise voters through intimidation or canceled registrations, state election officials and privacy advocates warned.

From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2023

But Cicero argues that the legal effect of the Senatus consultum ultimum was to disenfranchise Lentulus and his associates, and to place them in the position of outlaws. 12-13 Non caruerunt .

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund