disenfranchise

[dis-en-fran-chahyz]

verb (used with object)

disenfranchised, disenfranchising 

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.

disenfranchise

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• disenfranchisement noun
• disenfranchiser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disenfranchise¹

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

Example Sentences

The abrupt shift left Harvey resentful and disenfranchised.

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According to legal experts, there is no viable federal legal challenge against the new map on the basis that they disenfranchise a large chunk of California Republicans.

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He was talking straight to his actual voters and, beyond them, to an entire disenfranchised and alienated generation that believes, or rather knows, that power structure has failed them entirely.

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Proposition 50 opponents cried foul, saying they were disenfranchised.

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What is certain is that Proposition 50 will in effect disenfranchise millions of California Republicans and Republican-leaning voters who already feel overlooked and irrelevant to the workings of their home state.

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