disenfranchise

American  

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

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.

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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

• disenfranchisement noun
• disenfranchiser noun

Etymology

Origin of disenfranchise

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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

But such a move, Riggs and other critics have previously argued, would unfairly disenfranchise uniformed service members.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2025

In a letter to Chairman Ray Buckley, they also called the primary “detrimental” and said “non-compliant processes can disenfranchise and confuse voters.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 8, 2024

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

He is wholly at the mercy of the factor, who usually holds all the highest offices on the estate, and has the power, as at Barra, to disenfranchise an entire island.

From Our Journey to the Hebrides by Pennell, Elizabeth Robins