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.
The withdrawing forces had tried to dispossess the Sámi people of their traditions; just one method for this was a ban on the ládjogahpir, a red hat worn by Sámi women, within Christian churches. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025 The writing was on the wall after only four minutes when two Brazil defenders somehow failed to dispossess Julián Álvarez in the box, allowing the ball to bounce through for the Atlético Madrid striker to poke home the opener. Matias Grez, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025 Worst of all, Black property owners have been progressively dispossessed. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Under apartheid, non-White South Africans were forcibly dispossessed from their lands for the benefit of Whites. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispossess. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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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