entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt How to pronounce entitlement (audio)
en-
Synonyms of entitlement
1
a
: the state or condition of being entitled : right
b
: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract
2
: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges
3
: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group
also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

Examples of entitlement in a Sentence

my entitlement to a refund celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement entitlements such as medical aid for the elderly and poor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Michele Ragusa oozes entitlement and displeasure as Bobby’s mom, known only as Mother. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 Budget experts say fixing the deficit will require tax hikes, cuts to entitlement, or most likely, a combination of both. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 July 2026 Adoption may rise, but none of that confirms the entitlement structure is sound or that delivery economics can support durable margin. Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The digital entitlement for a physical Xbox game is similar to buying the title from Microsoft’s digital store. Tom Warren, The Verge, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for entitlement

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entitlement was in 1782

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entitlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entitlement. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Legal Definition

entitlement

noun
en·​ti·​tle·​ment
1
: the state or condition of being entitled : claim
evidence of victim's entitlement to money seizedNational Law Journal
2
: a right to benefits that is granted especially by law or contract (as an insurance policy)

Note: Some courts have held that entitlements are a property interest and therefore subject to procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when denied by federal or state governments.

3
: a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement
also : the benefits distributed by such a program

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