To take away someone's power, authority, or ability to do something; to make someone feel less confident or in control.
From dis- (reversal) + empower (from em- + power, meaning to give power to). This modern word emerged in the late 20th century as people sought a word for the opposite of empowerment.
This word became crucial in social justice conversations—researchers found that certain institutions 'disempower' marginalized communities, and understanding the word helped people name experiences they couldn't articulate before.
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