disenfranchised

American  

[dis-en-fran-chahyzd] / ˌdɪs ɛnˈfræn tʃaɪzd /

Sometimes disfranchised

adjective

1. deprived of any of the rights or privileges of citizens, especially the right to vote.

   Given the illegal requirements reportedly imposed at some polling places, we can expect a lot of lawsuits from disenfranchised citizens.

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

   A session on LGBTQ literature provided concrete examples and professional resources to support this often disenfranchised group.

3. deprived of a legal or commercial franchise.

   A disenfranchised Noodles Only franchisee has opened up about his struggles operating in the town’s “business graveyard.”

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of disenfranchise.

Other Word Forms

• nondisenfranchised adjective
• undisenfranchised adjective

Etymology

Origin of disenfranchised

First recorded in 1810–20; disenfranchise ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Now, she wants people, "especially young women", to know that when you feel "disenfranchised and powerless, there is real power in learning how to ask questions".

From BBC

The abrupt shift left Harvey resentful and disenfranchised.

From Los Angeles Times

Her first album Horses was for the disenfranchised and the shunned.

From BBC

Some voters in Zanzibar felt disenfranchised and said they would "leave that section blank" on the presidential ballot.

From Barron's

Lagos asked Porter how she would respond to residents who fear they’re being disenfranchised, especially those from rural areas.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• defenseless
• helpless
• impotent
• incapable
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inert
• paralyzed
• passive
• vulnerable
• weak