as in to evict
to end the occupancy or possession of
opponents of gentrification claim that the process unfairly dispossesses poorer residents of their long-established homes
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Recent Examples of dispossess
Calling his father and uncle gusanos — or worms, a Spanish-language term coined by Castro to denigrate those fleeing the island — the agent seized the bank and in an instant dispossessed a family that arrived from Spain in the 16th century.
—
Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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
But in the next 30 years, the people who will bear the brunt of that catastrophe—who will be dispossessed, uprooted, and exposed to the worst of the elements—will be those who are already on the other side of society’s walls.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispossess
Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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
But in the next 30 years, the people who will bear the brunt of that catastrophe—who will be dispossessed, uprooted, and exposed to the worst of the elements—will be those who are already on the other side of society’s walls.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispossess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispossess
Verb
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In 2023, the owners of the massive 712-unit Westside complex attempted to evict every single resident in order to install fire sprinklers and safety upgrades.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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The update came after reports that William's uncle, the former Prince Andrew, had not paid rent in more than two decades at Royal Lodge, the Windsor home he was evicted from when King Charles stripped his royal titles in October 2024.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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And abruptly halting the distribution of vaccines with thimerosal now would mean depriving people of protection against a whole host of dangerous illnesses.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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The waivers have been controversial, especially with European allies who see sanctions as essential to starving Russia of crude revenue and depriving Moscow funding for its war in Ukraine.—
Jennifer A. Dlouhy,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispossess. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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