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

In recent decades, good-government advocates have fought to create districts that are logical and geographically compact and do not disenfranchise minority voters.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Women are the most disenfranchised people in this business,” he told The Times in 1987.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There is, however, an added, if intangible, cost to Proposition 50: Effectively disenfranchising millions of conservative and Republican-leaning Californians, who already feel as though they’re ignored and politically impotent.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some believe the territory's complex citizenship laws have inadvertently created a crucible of disenfranchised Haitian youngsters.

Read more on BBC

This redistricting maneuver would effectively disenfranchise millions of California Republicans, potentially reducing GOP representation to just a handful of the state’s 52 House seats.

Read more on Los Angeles Times