The word "disempowered" is spelled with a prefix "dis-" meaning "not" or "reverse". The base word "empowered" means to give power, confidence or ability. Together, the prefix and base word combine to form a new word that means "unable or lacking power or ability". The word is pronounced as /dɪs-ɪmˈpaʊəd/ with emphasis on the second syllable. The first syllable "dis-" is pronounced with a short "i" sound and the second syllable "-empowered" is pronounced with a long "a" sound.
Disempowered is an adjective that describes a state or condition in which an individual or a group of people feel or are made to feel lacking in influence, control, or authority. It refers to a situation where power, autonomy, or the ability to effect change is diminished or denied.
When individuals or groups are disempowered, they may experience a sense of powerlessness and a decreased capacity to assert their rights, advocate for their needs, or make decisions that have an impact on their lives. Disempowerment can occur in various social, political, or personal contexts, such as in oppressive systems, unequal power structures, or abusive relationships. It is often accompanied by feelings of frustration, despair, and a loss of self-worth.
Disempowerment can manifest in different ways, including but not limited to, limited access to resources and opportunities, exclusion from decision-making processes, marginalization, and a lack of representation or voice. This can hinder individuals or communities from achieving their desired goals, addressing systemic injustices, or challenging oppressive norms and practices.
Empowerment, conversely, involves the process of increasing an individual's or a group's sense of agency, self-determination, and ability to effect change. Efforts to combat disempowerment often focus on facilitating access to education, resources, rights, and opportunities, as well as promoting inclusive and participatory decision-making structures.
The word "disempowered" is derived from the combination of the prefix "dis-" and the word "empowered".
The prefix "dis-" is of Latin origin and means "not" or "opposite of". When added to a word, it typically indicates negation, removal, or reversal.
The word "empowered" comes from the root word "power", which originates from the Old French word "poeir" and Latin word "potere", both meaning "to be able" or "to have the ability". The suffix "-ed" is used to form the past participle form of a verb, turning "empower" into the past tense or past participle form.
Therefore, by combining the prefix "dis-" with the word "empowered", we create "disempowered", meaning "not empowered" or the state of being deprived of power, authority, or control.