dispossess

[ dis-puh-zes ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put (a person) out of possession, especially of real property; oust.
2. to banish.
3. to abandon ownership of (a building), especially as a bad investment:

   Landlords have dispossessed many old tenement buildings.

dispossess

/ ˌdɪspəˈzɛs /

verb

1. tr to take away possession of something, esp property; expel

Derived Forms

• ˌdisposˈsessory, adjective
• ˌdisposˈsession, noun
• ˌdisposˈsessor, noun

Other Words From

• dispos·session noun
• dispos·sessor noun
• dis·pos·ses·so·ry [dis-p, uh, -, zes, -, uh, -ree], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispossess¹

First recorded in 1425–75; dis- ¹ + possess; replacing Middle English disposseden, equivalent to dis- ¹ + posseden (from Old French posseder ), from Latin possidēre; possess

Synonym Study

See strip ¹.

Example Sentences

They were visualizing that they would just dispossess them.

From Slate

That justification extends to "deadly physical force" in the event a defendant believes an unhoused person is attempting to "dispossess" them of the property, robbing them or committing arson.

From Salon

But Leeds upped their game in the second half as Piroe had a shot well saved by Hermansen, while James Justin did well to dispossess Summerville in a dangerous area soon after.

From BBC

The Manchester United defender required treatment on the pitch but was able to carry on, and soon proved he was fine with a masterful back-heeled tackle to dispossess Sesko.

From BBC

Vela’s faint effort to dispossess León of the ball was in vain.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• evict