Disenfranchised: meaning, definitions and examples

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disenfranchised

 

[ dɪsɪnˈfrantʃaɪzd ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling of being deprived of rights or privileges

Disenfranchised refers to a state of being deprived of the right to vote or other rights and privileges, often resulting in a sense of powerlessness, exclusion, and marginalization. It can be a result of various factors such as social, economic, or political discrimination.

Synonyms

deprived, excluded, marginalized.

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Word Description / Examples
disenfranchised

Used to describe people who have been deprived of certain rights, particularly the right to vote or participate in political processes.

  • Many citizens in the region feel disenfranchised due to changes in voting laws.
  • The organization aims to support disenfranchised communities and advocate for their rights.
deprived

Used to describe a lack of basic necessities or benefits of life, such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare. It carries a general negative connotation.

  • The children in the village were deprived of proper education and healthcare.
  • He grew up in a deprived neighborhood where opportunities were scarce.
marginalized

Used to describe individuals or groups that are pushed to the edge of society, often ignored or treated as insignificant. This term often has a social and economic aspect.

  • The report highlights how marginalized communities are often left out of policy discussions.
  • Artists from marginalized backgrounds face numerous challenges in gaining recognition.
excluded

Used to describe someone who is left out from an event, activity, or group. It can refer to social, professional, or institutional exclusion.

  • She felt excluded from the group because she didn't share the same interests.
  • Employees who don't follow the new rules might be excluded from certain company activities.

Examples of usage

  • Many disenfranchised communities struggle to have their voices heard in the political process.
  • The disenfranchised population faced barriers to accessing basic services and opportunities.
Context #2 | Verb

depriving someone of rights or privileges

To disenfranchise means to deprive someone of the right to vote or other rights and privileges. This act can be a deliberate effort to suppress certain groups or individuals from participating in the democratic process.

Synonyms

deprive, disempower, marginalize.

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Word Description / Examples
disenfranchised

Typically used when referring to the denial of the right to vote or other civil rights, often in a socio-political context.

  • Many people felt disenfranchised by the new voting regulations
  • Historical policies have disenfranchised minority groups in various countries
deprive

Used when someone is denied something that they need or deserve, such as basic necessities or opportunities.

  • The children were deprived of proper education due to the lack of school funding
  • The policy change deprived many workers of their benefits
disempower

Used when describing the removal or reduction of someone's power or confidence, often in personal or group contexts.

  • The strict rules disempower employees from making their own decisions
  • The community felt disempowered after losing local governance
marginalize

Used when someone or a group is pushed to the edge of society, making them less important or excluding them from various activities and opportunities.

  • The new policy risks marginalizing already vulnerable populations
  • He felt marginalized by his colleagues and was never invited to important meetings

Examples of usage

  • The government's decision to disenfranchise a specific demographic group sparked outrage.
  • They sought to disenfranchise minority voters through restrictive voting laws.

Translations

Translations of the word "disenfranchised" in other languages:

🇵🇹 privado de direitos

🇮🇳 अधिकारहीन

🇩🇪 entrechtet

🇮🇩 terpinggirkan

🇺🇦 позбавлений прав

🇵🇱 pozbawiony praw obywatelskich

🇯🇵 権利を奪われた

🇫🇷 privé de droits

🇪🇸 privado de derechos

🇹🇷 hakları elinden alınmış

🇰🇷 권리를 빼앗긴

🇸🇦 محروم من الحقوق

🇨🇿 zbavený práv

🇸🇰 zbavený práv

🇨🇳 被剥夺权利的

🇸🇮 razlaščine

🇮🇸 réttindalaus

🇰🇿 құқығынан айырылған

🇬🇪 უფლებებაჩამორთმეული

🇦🇿 hüquqları əlindən alınmış

🇲🇽 privado de derechos

Etymology

The term disenfranchised originated in the early 19th century, combining the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and 'enfranchise' meaning 'to give the right to vote'. It initially referred to the denial of voting rights, but over time, its meaning expanded to include the deprivation of other rights and privileges.

See also: disenfranchise, disenfranchisement.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,067, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.