dispossess

verb

dis·​pos·​sess ˌdis-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce dispossess (audio)
 also  -ˈses
dispossessed; dispossessing; dispossesses

transitive verb

: to put out of possession or occupancy
dispossessed the nobles of their land
dispossession
ˌdis-pə-ˈze-shən How to pronounce dispossess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun
dispossessor
ˌdis-pə-ˈze-sər How to pronounce dispossess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun

Examples of dispossess in a Sentence

The land was settled by dispossessing the native people who lived here. opponents of gentrification claim that the process unfairly dispossesses poorer residents of their long-established homes
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.
When, in 2024, the Biden administration sanctioned extremist Israeli settlers for attacking or dispossessing Palestinians, Israeli banks had no choice but to cut them off, to the fury and consternation of Israel’s far-right finance minister. Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024 Yet, Netanyahu has made clear that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in Gaza, and has offered no political plan for how nearly two million dispossessed Gazan civilians can survive. Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Dec. 2024 The 21-year-old centre-back won the first real exchange after 12 minutes, emerging victorious from an aerial duel and then dispossessing the former Manchester City striker moments later. Andy Jones, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024 And what about the thousands of Native Californians who were dispossessed—of their lives as well as the land—but never offered reparations? Michelle Weber, Longreads, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dispossess 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French despossesser, from des- dis- + possesser to possess

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispossess was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dispossess

Cite this Entry

“Dispossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispossess. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dispossess

verb
dis·​pos·​sess ˌdis-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce dispossess (audio)
: to take away the possession of or the right to occupy land or houses
dispossession noun

Legal Definition

dispossess

transitive verb
dis·​pos·​sess ˌdis-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce dispossess (audio)
: to put out of possession or occupancy compare evict
dispossession noun
dispossessor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dispossess

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