dispossess
verb
dis·pos·sess
ˌdis-pə-ˈzes 
also -ˈses
dispossessed; dispossessing; dispossesses
: to put out of possession or occupancy
dispossessed the nobles of their land
Examples of dispossess in a Sentence
The land was settled by dispossessing the native people who lived here.
opponents of gentrification claim that the process unfairly dispossesses poorer residents of their long-established homes
Recent Examples on the Web
The growth of colonial Australian society came at the expense of the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who were often dispossessed of their land, exposed to foreign diseases, and either pushed into marginal areas or forcibly assimilated into European culture.
—
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
As Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants, El Hammoumy continued, the Berbers are like other native peoples around the world who have been systematically dispossessed of their lands and heritage for centuries.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The Netherlands international was dispossessed seven times — the most of any player in a Premier League game this season.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Black people and other non-white South Africans were displaced and dispossessed.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispossess
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Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
As Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants, El Hammoumy continued, the Berbers are like other native peoples around the world who have been systematically dispossessed of their lands and heritage for centuries.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The Netherlands international was dispossessed seven times — the most of any player in a Premier League game this season.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Black people and other non-white South Africans were displaced and dispossessed.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispossess
Cite this Entry
“Dispossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispossess. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispossess
verb
dis·pos·sess
ˌdis-pə-ˈzes
: to take away the possession of or the right to occupy land or houses
Legal Definition
dispossess
transitive verb
dis·pos·sess
ˌdis-pə-ˈzes
: to put out of possession or occupancy compare evict
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