disenfranchise

[dis-en-fran-chahyz]

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verb (used with object), dis·en·fran·chised, dis·en·fran·chis·ing.

to disfranchise.

Nearby words

Origin of disenfranchise

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

Related formsdis·en·fran·chise·ment

[dis-en-fran-chahyz-muh nt, -chiz-] /ˌdɪs ɛnˈfræn tʃaɪz mənt, -tʃɪz-/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for disenfranchised

Brute is the story of Mac and Jesse, two disenfranchised teens who turn to robbing houses as a form of recreation and quick cash.
Nitehawk Shorts Festival: ‘Brute,’ a Twisted Take on Playing in the Dark|Julia Grinberg|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Doar agreed that this was a case about “arrogance,” but not of the 1,600 voters now disenfranchised, or of the Justice Department.
Honoring The Late John Doar, A Nearly Forgotten Hero Of The Civil Rights Era|Gary May|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the rule of law and political transition fail to bring about change, disenfranchised and marginalized groups take up arms.
Yemen’s a Model All Right—For Disaster|Michael Shank , Casey Harrity|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Having played mostly female and trans characters has made him somewhat of a celebrity among the disenfranchised.
Trans in the Holy Land: ‘Marzipan Flowers,’ Tal Kallai, and the Shattering of Israel’s LGBT Taboos|Itay Hod|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Right now, millions of Americans are disenfranchised by our political process.
Paying Taxes and Going to Jail Like Adults; Teens Deserve the Right to Vote, Too|Jillian Keenan|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Disenfranchised or citizens, allies or aliens, pell-mell the lot of them in we will squeeze.
Lysistrata|Aristophanes
People write to the Cambridge Magazine saying that every one over forty should be disenfranchised and interned, if not shot.
Non-combatants and Others|Rose Macaulay
The constitution can scarcely be called a democratic one, for at least 7000 citizens were disenfranchised.
Europe in the Sixteenth Century 1494-1598, Fifth Edition|A. H. (Arthur Henry) Johnson
It returned two members to parliament from 1307 until 1832, but was disenfranchised by the Reform Act.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 9|Various
At least, it would have disenfranchised all Ravick's permanently unemployed "unemployed hunters."
Four-Day Planet|Henry Beam Piper

British Dictionary definitions for disenfranchised

disenfranchise

disfranchise

verb (tr)

to deprive (a person) of the right to vote or other rights of citizenship

to deprive (a place) of the right to send representatives to an elected body

to deprive (a business concern, etc) of some privilege or right

to deprive (a person, place, etc) of any franchise or right

Derived Formsdisenfranchisement (ˌdɪsɪnˈfræntʃɪzmənt) or disfranchisement, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for disenfranchised

disenfranchise

"deprive of civil or electoral privileges," 1640s, from dis- + enfranchise. Earlier form was disfranchise (mid-15c.). Related: Disenfranchised; disenfranchisement.