Standard Lemma guide

disempower

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /dɪsɪmˈpaʊ(w)ə(ɹ)/
  • rhymes with -aʊə(ɹ)

1

verb

Meaning 1

To strip power from (someone or some group), as:

To remove morale or self-confidence from (someone or some group) to do something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dishearten, dispirit, demoralize, demotivate, enervate

Antonyms: empower, hearten, inspire, motivate

2

verb

Meaning 2

To strip power from (someone or some group), as:

To remove authority or (official) confidence from (someone or some group) to do something (such as administer a state function), as by demoting, disestablishing, or unincorporating a group.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The reformation disempowered the established church and thus roiled the aristocracy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: empower, establish, install

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin dis- Old French des-bor. Latin dis-bor. Middle English dis- English dis- English empower English disempower From dis- + empower.