disempower

American  

[dis-em-pou-er] / ˌdɪs ɛmˈpaʊ ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive of influence, importance, etc..

   Voters feel they have become disempowered by recent political events.

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disempower British  

/ ˌdɪsɪmˈpaʊə /

verb

1. (tr) to deprive (a person) of power or authority

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Other Word Forms

• disempowerment noun

Etymology

Origin of disempower

First recorded in 1805–15; dis- ¹ + empower

Example Sentences

“I choose not to allow circumstances or individuals disempower my spirit,” she added as an emotional Evans added: “If you can say that, if you can really believe that, then there are so many others of us who can feel confident in that as well.”

From Los Angeles Times

Opposition parties highlighted cost of living issues, high unemployment - especially for young people - and fears that constitutional changes could disempower the disadvantaged.

From BBC

While the latter groups wanted to disempower the courts, the Black freedom movement largely did not, because the courts — however inadequate they were — appeared to be its most reliable allies.

From Salon

The Fifth and Sixth amendments were designed, in part, to disempower judges—who are, after all, employees of the state—and hand over the final determination of guilt to a dozen citizens drawn from the community.

From Slate

Survivors who supported the legislation have said a defamation lawsuit is often used as a retaliation tactic to disempower victims.

From Seattle Times