disenfranchised

adjective

dis·​en·​fran·​chised ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīzd How to pronounce disenfranchised (audio)
Synonyms of disenfranchised
: deprived of some right, privilege, or immunity
Tough, resourceful, and determined to help her disenfranchised and disenchanted students learn how to learn and love it, Johnson employs a barrage of techniques.Donna Seaman
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill does what it can, but the millions of mentally ill remain the least supported, the most disenfranchised, and the most excluded people in our society today.Oliver Sacks
especially : deprived of the right to vote
The value of the right to vote, however, given the reality of racial voting patterns, will depend on whether it translates into political power and influence for the previously disenfranchised minority. Alan Freeman

Examples of disenfranchised in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are better ways to eliminate smoking than impose an impractical mandate that creates a permanent class of disenfranchised adults. Alex Weatherall, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 A lot of people feel disenfranchised. Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 Similarly, advancing equity requires a cultural humility that recognizes multiple ways of knowing and intentionally centers the voices of disenfranchised individuals. Lourdes Mestre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 There were also a lot of really aggressive, disenfranchised sentiments with young white men at the time. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disenfranchised

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disenfranchised was in 1818

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disenfranchised.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchised. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on disenfranchised

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster