Disempower Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disempower

[ˌdɪsɪmˈpaʊə ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in social context

To deprive of power or influence; to make someone or something less powerful or effective.

Synonyms

diminish, disable, subdue, undermine, weaken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disempower	Used when describing a situation where someone is deprived of power, rights, or confidence. Policies that disempower minority groups; Her constant criticism disempowered him
weaken	Used to show a decrease in strength, power, or ability, can be physical or metaphorical. The illness weakened her; His argument was weakened by lack of evidence
diminish	Used to indicate a reduction in size, importance, or value of something or someone. His achievements were diminished by his critics; The new law does not diminish our rights
undermine	Refers to gradually making someone or something less effective or weaker, often in a covert way. His actions undermined the project; Leaking information can undermine security
disable	Typically used in a technical context or when referring to the act of making someone incapable of functioning normally due to injury or impairment. You can disable the alarm system by entering the code; The accident disabled him permanently
subdue	Indicates the act of bringing something or someone under control, often by force. The police had to subdue the suspect; She tried to subdue her anger

Examples of usage

The new policy aims to disempower large corporations and give more opportunities to small businesses.
The authoritarian regime sought to disempower its citizens by limiting their freedom of speech and assembly.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in personal context

To undermine someone's confidence, self-esteem, or sense of empowerment.

Synonyms

belittle, demean, demoralize, devalue, discourage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disempower	Used when someone is being stripped of their power, authority, or confidence, often in a formal or systemic manner. The new policies disempower the employees, making it hard for them to influence decisions. By ignoring their input, the management disempowers the team.
demoralize	Applied when someone's spirit, confidence, or determination is being worn down or broken, often through persistent negativity or challenging circumstances. The constant criticism began to demoralize the team. Facing repeated rejections can demoralize even the most resilient individuals.
discourage	Applicable when someone is being disheartened or deterred from pursuing something, typically by highlighting obstacles or drawbacks; generally neutral but can have negative effects. Criticism should be constructive, not discourage the person from trying again. The difficult terrain and bad weather discouraged them from continuing the hike.
demean	Used for actions or words that make someone feel less respected or degraded, often implies intentional or significant disrespect; has a negative connotation. The cruel comments were meant to demean her in front of her colleagues. They demeaned him by giving him menial tasks despite his qualifications.
belittle	Employed when someone is making another person feel small or unimportant, often through dismissive comments or actions; carries a negative connotation. He always belittles her achievements, making her feel undervalued. Don't belittle his efforts; he worked really hard on this project.
devalue	Used when reducing the worth or importance of someone or something, often in terms of skills, contributions, or status; can have both negative and neutral connotations. Such policies devalue the contributions of part-time workers. He felt devalued when he wasn't consulted on important decisions.

Examples of usage

Continuous criticism can disempower individuals and hinder their personal growth.
Being constantly belittled by others can disempower a person and affect their mental well-being.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Disempowering experiences can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and helplessness, affecting mental health.
In therapy, helping someone to regain their agency is often a crucial step in recovery from trauma.
Empowerment in psychology refers to giving individuals the tools and confidence to take control of their lives.

Social Movements

The concept of disempowerment is often discussed in the context of social justice, where marginalized groups may have their rights and voices suppressed.
Activism aims to 'empower' individuals and communities by providing tools and support to reclaim their power.

Education

In educational settings, disempowerment can occur if students are not given the chance to express their opinions or participate in decision-making.
Empowering students through collaborative learning models fosters critical thinking and self-confidence.

Literature

Many literary works explore themes of disempowerment, illustrating characters who struggle against oppressive forces.
Classic novels often depict disempowerment through social class, gender, or racial inequality, highlighting the need for empowerment.

Origin of 'disempower'

Main points about word origin

The word 'disempower' is formed by adding 'dis-' (which means to reverse or remove) to the word 'empower', meaning to give power.
The roots of 'empower' trace back to the 15th century, where it meant 'to enable or allow'.

The word 'disempower' originated in the late 20th century as a term used in social and political discourse to describe the act of reducing someone's power or influence. The prefix 'dis-' signifies a negative or reversing action, while 'empower' comes from the Old French word 'empoer', meaning 'to give power to'. The concept of disempowerment has been widely discussed in the context of social justice, equality, and empowerment movements.

See also: empowered, empowering, empowerment.