disbar

verb

dis·​bar dis-ˈbär How to pronounce disbar (audio)
disbarred; disbarring; disbars

transitive verb

: to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of legal status and privileges
disbarment noun

Examples of disbar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fenton’s been disbarred by the state Supreme Court, an action that will go into effect Saturday. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025 Circuit Judge Harrell Simpson of Pocahontas had disbarred Weems permanently. ... The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025 He was disbarred and filed for bankruptcy as his firm, Girardi Keese, dissolved and filed for bankruptcy, too. Dave Quinn, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025 Two managing partners — Jessica in season six, Rachel’s father Robert Zane (Wendell Pierce) in season eight — were disbarred in order to protect Mike and Harvey’s own ability to practice law. Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disbar

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disbar was in 1633

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disbar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disbar. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

disbar

verb
dis·​bar dis-ˈbär How to pronounce disbar (audio)
disbarred; disbarring
: to deprive (a lawyer) of the right to work in the legal profession
disbarment noun

Legal Definition

disbar

transitive verb
dis·​bar dis-ˈbär How to pronounce disbar (audio)
: to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of a license to practice law usually for engaging in unethical or illegal practices compare debar
disbarment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disbar

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