as in to evict
to end the occupancy or possession of
opponents of gentrification claim that the process unfairly dispossesses poorer residents of their long-established homes
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Recent Examples of dispossess
As Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants, El Hammoumy continued, the Berbers are like other native peoples around the world who have been systematically dispossessed of their lands and heritage for centuries.
—
Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The Netherlands international was dispossessed seven times — the most of any player in a Premier League game this season.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
But in the next 30 years, the people who will bear the brunt of that catastrophe—who will be dispossessed, uprooted, and exposed to the worst of the elements—will be those who are already on the other side of society’s walls.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
For me, the flashback is suggestive but not conclusive — maybe Arthur’s genuinely confused about the identity of the man in his house, or maybe this is his chance at revenge against the white men who have continually dispossessed his family and his people.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispossess
Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The Netherlands international was dispossessed seven times — the most of any player in a Premier League game this season.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
But in the next 30 years, the people who will bear the brunt of that catastrophe—who will be dispossessed, uprooted, and exposed to the worst of the elements—will be those who are already on the other side of society’s walls.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
For me, the flashback is suggestive but not conclusive — maybe Arthur’s genuinely confused about the identity of the man in his house, or maybe this is his chance at revenge against the white men who have continually dispossessed his family and his people.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispossess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispossess
Verb
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Then, to their confusion, they were evicted.—
R.A. Schuetz,
Houston Chronicle,
1 May 2026
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The story of Javier Chocobar, a member of the indigenous Chuchagasta community in northwest Argentina’s Tucumán Province, who in 2009 tried to defend himself and his people from being forcibly evicted from their land by a local landowner and two former police officers.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Its residents will also be awaiting further attacks, as Ukraine intensifies its campaign to disrupt the Russian oil industry and deprive the Kremlin of crucial funding for its war machine.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
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In the beginning—to bereave, deprive, rob.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispossess. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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