dispossessed

[ dis-puh-zest ]

adjective

1. evicted, as from a dwelling, land, etc.; ousted.
2. without property, status, etc., as wandering or displaced persons; rootless; disfranchised.
3. having suffered the loss of expectations, prospects, relationships, etc.; disinherited; disaffiliated; alienated:

   The modern city dweller may feel spiritually dispossessed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispossessed¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dispossess + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The greatest violence of the Pax Romana was always borne by the poor, who were often ripped from their families, enslaved in back-breaking labor, and dispossessed of their land and resources.

From Salon

“Yet PEN America appears unwilling to stand with them firmly against the powers that have oppressed and dispossessed them for the last 75 years.”

From Seattle Times

Watching their games back I saw a lot of misplaced passes, or United players being dispossessed when they were playing out, and that seemed to be an obvious area of concern.

From BBC

The chances kept coming with the away side dispossessed time and again by a relentless Atletico.

From BBC

Croatia have the ball in the Welsh half for the first time but they are quickly dispossessed.

From BBC

Related Words

• destitute
• disadvantaged
• needy
• underprivileged