disenfranchised

[ dis-en-fran-chahyzd ]

/ ˌdɪs ɛnˈfræn tʃaɪzd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for disenfranchised on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

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.

deprived of a legal or commercial franchise: A disenfranchised Noodles Only franchisee has opened up about his struggles operating a franchise in the town’s “business graveyard.”

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of disenfranchise.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Sometimes dis·fran·chised .

Origin of disenfranchised

disenfranchise + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM disenfranchised

non·dis·en·fran·chised, adjectiveun·dis·en·fran·chised, adjective

Words nearby disenfranchised

disenchanted, disenchantment, disencumber, disendow, disenfranchise, disenfranchised, disenfranchisement, disengage, disengagement, disenroll, disentail

How to use disenfranchised in a sentence

Citywide elections cost more money to run and, opponents say, can disenfranchise communities of color.
2020 May Be the Last Cake Walk for Union-Backed School Board Candidates|Will Huntsberry|November 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The President’s insistence that no ballot is counted after Tuesday could disenfranchise a large number of service members and impact the outcome of the election.
Voter intimidation, Russian influence, refusal to accept results: What could go wrong on Election Night|Nicole Goodkind|November 2, 2020|Fortune
We know that three justices — Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch — are willing to disenfranchise voters who failed to predict that the Supreme Court would change the rules in the future.
If the Supreme Court decides the election, it will likely all come down to Brett Kavanaugh|Ian Millhiser|October 30, 2020|Vox
In an interview with The Washington Post earlier Thursday, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said a ruling against the state could disenfranchise an unknown number of state voters.
Appeals court panel rules Minnesota must set aside ballots received after Election Day in case they are invalidated|Aaron Davis|October 30, 2020|Washington Post

The Postal Service warned all but four states that they have deadlines that could disenfranchise voters.
D.C. voting guide: What to know about early voting, mail-in ballots|Michael Brice-Saddler|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
And who can blame them for feeling disenfranchised when they see their efforts dwarfed by the mega donors.
The 100 Rich People Who Run America|Mark McKinnon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
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
Disenfranchised or citizens, allies or aliens, pell-mell the lot of them in we will squeeze.
Lysistrata|Aristophanes
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
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
At least, it would have disenfranchised all Ravick's permanently unemployed "unemployed hunters."
Four-Day Planet|Henry Beam Piper