Dispossess Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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dispossess
dis-pos-sess
Definition
legal
Deprive someone of land, property, or other possessions.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dispossess |
Reused in error. |
| deprive |
Use when someone is denied access to something they need or desire. It does not necessarily involve physical removal.
|
| strip |
Use when something is removed from someone, often leaving them bare or without something essential. It can have a slightly negative connotation.
|
| rob |
Use when someone takes something (usually valuable) from another person, often involving force or threat. It has a negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- He was dispossessed of his inheritance.
- The government dispossessed the villagers to build a new highway.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “dispossess”
Dispossess is a 3-syllable verb (dis-pos-sess). It is pronounced /ˌdɪspəˈzɛs/ in American English and /dˌɪspəzˈɛs/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #28,142 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'dispossess'
The word 'dispossess' originated from the combination of the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'apart' or 'away,' and the word 'possess' which comes from Latin 'possidēre,' meaning 'to occupy.' The term has been used in legal contexts to describe the act of depriving someone of land or property, often involving forced removal or eviction.
See also: dispossessed, possess, possessed, possessing, possession, possessions, possessive, possessor, possessors, repossess, repossessing, repossession.