disenfranchise
verb
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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
K. Lloyd Billingsley, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Not only does state law require polling sites in every precinct to open at 6 a.m., but the party argues that the 15-30 minute delay disenfranchised some voters who had to abandon the line for various reasons, such as needing to get to work.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024
The Trump campaign on Wednesday sued in Bucks County, just outside of Philadelphia, to extend in-person voting amid concerns about long lines and allegations that some voters were being disenfranchised.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Miller-Lerman disagreed in a scathing retort, saying that to find the laws unconstitutional could disenfranchise 59,000 Nebraska residents who have been eligible to vote since the 2005 law passed and that such a finding would consolidate power in the executive branch.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near disenfranchise
Cite this Entry
“Disenfranchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disenfranchise. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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disenfranchise
verb
Legal Definition
disenfranchise
transitive verb
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