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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She was evicted from one after only one payment was made on her behalf and racked up another bill of more than $50,000 at another due to nonpayment.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Vanegas, who has lived at Forest View Mobile Home park for two years, stood at the culmination of a nearly yearlong effort to save the park after Blue Island officials ordered the property owners to evict residents, citing unsafe conditions, incorrect zoning, unpaid water debt and code violations.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
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To consider the challenge to the new districts in a way that’s fair to voters, courts will have to consider whether DeSantis acted in a way that deprives them of their right to choose their own members of Congress.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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His mistakes have included depriving vulnerable older people of a benefit to heat their homes; raising payroll taxes on employers, while simultaneously asking them to hire more young people; and seeking a new relationship with the European Union, but never spelling out what that means.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 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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