What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dispossession
Example
The indigenous people suffered dispossession of their lands during colonization. [dispossession: noun]
Example
The family faced dispossession of their home due to unpaid rent. [dispossession: noun]
eviction
Example
The landlord filed for eviction after the tenant failed to pay rent for three months. [eviction: noun]
Example
The family was evicted from their apartment due to noise complaints from neighbors. [evicted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Eviction is a more common term than dispossession in everyday language, especially in the context of rental properties and landlord-tenant disputes. Dispossession is a less common term that may be used in legal or historical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dispossession and eviction?
Both dispossession and eviction are formal terms that are typically used in legal or academic contexts. However, dispossession may have a more historical or political connotation that makes it less appropriate for certain formal settings.
