disbar

verb

dis·​bar dis-ˈbär How to pronounce disbar (audio)
disbarred; disbarring; disbars

transitive verb

: to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of legal status and privileges
disbarment noun

Examples of disbar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ellis was also censured in Colorado, but not disbarred, though the state’s attorney discipline board has filed new charges against her since her guilty plea. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Williams was later disbarred for ethics and tax violations. Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024 If the Idaho Supreme Court disbars him, Oleson would likely have 14 days to close down his law practice, according to the State Bar. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2024 Cohen was disbarred 5 years ago Perry's filing included a declaration from Cohen, who served time in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of evasion of personal income tax, making false statements to a bank, excessive campaign contribution, and causing an unlawful corporate contribution. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2024 Muller was reportedly disbarred in the state of California after accepting a $1,250 advance from a client and failing to secure a green card for their son, the Associated Press reported. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024 The State Bar of California disbarred Girardi in July 2022. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024 The attorney, who was disbarred years later for neglecting his clients, had also failed to ask for a report of the police lineups that falsely implicated Simmons. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 24 Dec. 2023 And earlier this month, a court panel called for Giuliani to be disbarred for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 26 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disbar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disbar was in 1633

Dictionary Entries Near disbar

Cite this Entry

“Disbar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disbar. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

disbar

verb
dis·​bar dis-ˈbär How to pronounce disbar (audio)
disbarred; disbarring
: to deprive (a lawyer) of the right to work in the legal profession
disbarment noun

Legal Definition

disbar

transitive verb
dis·​bar dis-ˈbär How to pronounce disbar (audio)
: to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of a license to practice law usually for engaging in unethical or illegal practices compare debar
disbarment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disbar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!