Well-read · Politics & society · Law & order
Disenfranchise: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Disenfranchise verb. To take away someone's right to vote, or to leave them without a voice or influence.
How to say it
dis-in-FRAN-chyze/ˌdɪsɪnˈfran(t)ʃaɪz/
4 syllables, stressed on the third (FRAN). Forms: disenfranchised, disenfranchises, disfranchise.
Disenfranchise in a sentence
Moving the only polling station out of town would disenfranchise anyone without a car.
Young people often feel disenfranchised by debates that are all about pensions.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- deprive of the vote
- exclude
- marginalise
Opposite:
- enfranchise
- empower
Where disenfranchise comes from
From dis- plus enfranchise, from Old French franc, free.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Young people often feel _____ by debates that are all about pensions.
- disenfranchise
- prorogue
- gerrymander
Show the answer
disenfranchise: Young people often feel disenfranchised by debates that are all about pensions.