disenfranchise

verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīz 

disenfranchised; disenfranchising; disenfranchises

transitive verb

: to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity

especially : to deprive of the right to vote

disenfranchising the poor and elderly

disenfranchisement

ˌdis-in-ˈfran-ˌchīz-mənt 

-chəz-

noun

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What Does It Mean to Disenfranchise Someone?

Disenfranchise first appeared in English in the 17th century, preceded for a period of some 200 years by the now uncommon word disfranchise. Though both words are, rather obviously, related to franchise, they have nothing to do with that word’s current sense “a team that is a member of a professional sports league." The original meaning of franchise was “freedom from servitude or restraint.” Although disenfranchise does broadly signify depriving someone of any of a number of legal rights, it is most often used today of withholding the right to vote, or of the diminished social or political status of a marginalized group.

Examples of disenfranchise in a Sentence

They disenfranchised poor people by making property ownership a requirement for registering to vote.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Democrats and other critics also raised concerns that the bill could disenfranchise married women who take their spouse’s name because their last name would no longer match their birth certificate. —Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Apr. 2025

Washington — The House passed a controversial bill on Thursday that would require Americans to show proof of citizenship in person to register to vote in federal elections, which critics say could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025

The bill, backed by Republican lawmakers and supported by President Donald Trump, mandates documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections—a requirement critics say could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

While the union requests being fully recognized without the NLRB decision, Bergen Logistics cannot agree to in order to avoid potentially disenfranchising its associated, according to the company’s statement. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disenfranchise

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

disenfranchise

verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfran-ˌchīz 

: to deprive of a legal right

especially : to deprive of the right to vote

disenfranchisement

-ˌchīz-mənt 

-chəz-

noun

Legal Definition

disenfranchise

transitive verb

dis·​en·​fran·​chise ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfran-ˌchīz 

disenfranchised; disenfranchising

: disfranchise

disenfranchisement noun