disenfranchise
verb
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What Does It Mean to Disenfranchise Someone?
Disenfranchise first appeared in English in the 17th century, preceded for a period of some 200 years by the now uncommon word disfranchise. Though both words are, rather obviously, related to franchise, they have nothing to do with that word’s current sense “a team that is a member of a professional sports league." The original meaning of franchise was “freedom from servitude or restraint.” Although disenfranchise does broadly signify depriving someone of any of a number of legal rights, it is most often used today of withholding the right to vote, or of the diminished social or political status of a marginalized group.
Examples of disenfranchise in a Sentence
Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 20 May 2026
From their perspective as a Sudanese American from Minnesota, Saleh is well aware of the importance of solidarity and the way the continent of Africa and Black communities all over the world have been disenfranchised in the name of profit.
—Nia Coats, Pitchfork, 18 May 2026
The death blow came on the heels and in comes in advance of unprecedented efforts by formerly Confederate states undertaking their own efforts to disenfranchise Black voters through gerrymandering.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
So when the pastor casually suggests disenfranchising half of America, people listen.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for disenfranchise
Cite this Entry
“Disenfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchise. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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disenfranchise
verb
Legal Definition
disenfranchise
transitive verb
