as in to liberate
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
in a way, modern labor-saving appliances enfranchised people, giving them much more leisure time
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Recent Examples of enfranchise
About a year after the infirmary team returned to the United States, the 19th Amendment became law, enfranchising 27 million women, the largest expansion of voting rights in American history.
—
Amy Sohn, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Some other states specifically prohibit localities from enfranchising noncitizens.
—Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
—Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
After the Third Reform Act of 1884, six of 10 adult Englishmen were enfranchised.
—Geoffrey Wheatcroft, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enfranchise
Amy Sohn, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Some other states specifically prohibit localities from enfranchising noncitizens.
—Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
—Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
After the Third Reform Act of 1884, six of 10 adult Englishmen were enfranchised.
—Geoffrey Wheatcroft, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enfranchise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enfranchise
Verb
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The smiles, according to experts on Buddhism and Buddhist art, suggest a realization of truth, and the legs represent a transition into action, to liberate all sentient beings.—
Anthony Kuhn,
NPR,
11 June 2026
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After being transferred to Hirschberg to Bunzlau, he was liberated and returned to Romania before immigrating to Israel and eventually settling in South Florida.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Verb
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By aligning purchases with real demand and clearing dead stock, a small business can free up cash and improve overall cash flow stability.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Additionally, many retail investors could sell Tesla stock shares to free up capital and purchase SpaceX shares.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Fable 5, in particular, marked the first time that Anthropic released such an advanced offering to the public, thanks to new safeguards that block responses in specific high-risk areas.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
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After plenty of speculation that Bad Bunny might somehow link up with a papal event, the Vatican confirmed that the pair had a brief, behind-closed-doors meeting, although no photos were released.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The long shadow of the occupation Twenty-three years after George Bush and Tony Blair resolved that Iraqis were to be emancipated, the country remains captive to a masquerade of power.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
26 May 2026
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When Winter was 14 years old, she was placed in the care of her older sister and three years later, she was legally emancipated.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The opera, an adaptation of Dorothy and DuBose Heyward’s play (itself an adaptation of the latter’s 1925 novel), tells the story of a disabled Black beggar hailing from Charleston, who attempts to rescue Bess from her drug dealer and controlling lover.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
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All of the dogs were rescued alive, though officers say they were left inside the moving truck for several hours.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
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John Hoffman credits his daughter, Hope, for calling 911 and saving their lives.—
Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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This act may save lives of others in the path of dangerous weather.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfranchise. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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