entitlement
noun
en·ti·tle·ment
in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt 
en-
1
2
: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges
3
: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group
also
: funds supporting or distributed by such a program
Examples of entitlement in a Sentence
my entitlement to a refund
celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement
entitlements such as medical aid for the elderly and poor
Recent Examples on the Web
Rethinking Medicaid’s Cost Story Despite these benefits, Medicaid is often portrayed as an unsustainable entitlement.
—
Our Place, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Transactions can drag on, negotiations can stall, and entitlement processes can feel endless.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The post, shared by u/wasnapping in the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, has garnered 43,000 upvotes since it was posted on September 11, stirring a spirited debate about entitlement, etiquette, and the limits of neighborly requests.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
According to her, his reaction wasn’t just forgetfulness but entitlement.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entitlement
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Our Place, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Transactions can drag on, negotiations can stall, and entitlement processes can feel endless.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The post, shared by u/wasnapping in the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, has garnered 43,000 upvotes since it was posted on September 11, stirring a spirited debate about entitlement, etiquette, and the limits of neighborly requests.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
According to her, his reaction wasn’t just forgetfulness but entitlement.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entitlement
Cite this Entry
“Entitlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entitlement. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
entitlement
noun
en·ti·tle·ment
1
: the state or condition of being entitled : claim
evidence of victim's entitlement to money seized—National Law Journal
National Law Journal2
: a right to benefits that is granted especially by law or contract (as an insurance policy)
Note: Some courts have held that entitlements are a property interest and therefore subject to procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when denied by federal or state governments.
3
: a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement
also
: the benefits distributed by such a program
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