dispossession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dispossession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of taking away someone's possessions or property, often in relation to historical or social issues. Example: "The policy led to the dispossession of indigenous lands, causing significant cultural and economic impacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jim Crace's Booker-shortlisted Harvest (Picador), about land enclosure and dispossession, transports the reader into a past that feels more present than the world outside, yet also sheds an uneasy light on today.

The Guardian - Books

Just as European depictions of Indigenous people, flora and fauna gained accuracy as contact, dispossession and white settlement expanded.

The Guardian

Whereas 80% had decried it five years ago as another stage in the nakba, or catastrophe, as Arabs call their dispossession by Israel in 1948, over a third were now reported to be in favour.Many reasons have been aired.

The Economist

"Despite decades of dispossession, communal violence was minimal.

The Economist

The systematic elimination of a race through conventional and biological warfare, mass murder, hybridisation and dispossession of land continues to cast a very dark shadow over the prospects for Native Americans.

The Economist

For Israelis, as Mr Bird remarks, "the Shoah [the Holocaust] always trumps the Nakba [the catastrophe, or dispossession]".

The Economist

Others put it down to a burning resentment at that dispossession, and a void filled mainly by booze and drugs.

The Economist

It drives our ongoing humiliation and dispossession by the Israeli government...," he writes.

The Economist

I learnt a lot that day about the experience of exile and dispossession, one thing at least that Jews and Palestinians can share.

The Economist

The Bengali-speakers are settled farmers, anxious to establish private-property rights as protection against dispossession.

The Economist

There will be no simple fix to the dispossession that began a century ago.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical events involving land rights, use "dispossession" to highlight the unjust or forced removal of people from their property.

Common error

Avoid using "dispossession" when a simple loss or accidental misplacement is meant. "Dispossession" carries a connotation of injustice, force, or systemic deprivation, which is absent in cases of simple loss.

Linguistic Context

The word "dispossession" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act or state of being dispossessed. Ludwig AI examples highlight its use in historical, political, and social contexts, emphasizing the deprivation of land, property, or rights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispossession" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, primarily found in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. It describes the act of being deprived of possessions or rights, often unjustly, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When writing about historical or contemporary issues involving the loss of land or property, consider using "dispossession" to highlight the systemic nature of the deprivation. Avoid using it in simple loss scenarios. Synonyms like "deprivation" and "eviction" can be alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depossession

Similar to dispossession, but less common and can emphasize the removal of spiritual entities.

loss of property

A general term for losing ownership or control of assets.

deprivation

Focuses on the state of lacking essential resources or rights.

eviction

Refers specifically to the act of being forced out of a property or dwelling.

expropriation

Implies a formal or legal taking of property, often by a government.

displacement

Emphasizes being forced to leave one's home or community.

divestment

Suggests the act of selling off or relinquishing assets or investments.

confiscation

Implies taking property as a penalty or by legal authority.

ouster

Indicates being removed from a position, place, or right.

seizure

Suggests a sudden or forceful taking of something.

FAQs

How is "dispossession" typically used in a sentence?

"Dispossession" is commonly used to describe the act of depriving someone of their land, property, or rights, often in historical or political contexts. For example, "The "dispossession of indigenous lands" had lasting impacts on the community".

What are some synonyms for "dispossession"?

Alternatives to "dispossession" include "deprivation", "eviction", "expropriation", and "seizure". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "dispossession" and "deprivation"?

"Dispossession" typically refers to the act of taking away land or property, while "deprivation" is a broader term encompassing the lack of essential resources or rights. "Dispossession" is a specific type of deprivation.

Is it appropriate to use "dispossession" in modern contexts?

Yes, "dispossession" remains relevant when discussing ongoing issues of land rights, economic inequality, and social justice. It's used to highlight systemic or unjust deprivation, not just isolated incidents.