entitlement
noun
en·ti·tle·ment
in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt 
en-
1
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
So far, inflation is ramping up, tariffs are in play, interest rates remain high, entitlements may be impacted, labor shortages are imminent with immigration crackdowns and, most importantly, world insecurity has risen massively.
—
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Assuming the United States once again avoids going over the fiscal cliff, many challenges remain—driven by rising entitlement program costs and skyrocketing interest expenses—to put the country on a sustainable fiscal path.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Schmitt emphasized that approaching the conversation from a place of curiosity and problem-solving, rather than entitlement, is critical.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
An airplane passenger's struggle to keep her personal space from being invaded by a fellow traveler has sparked discussion about etiquette and entitlement on flights.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entitlement
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Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Assuming the United States once again avoids going over the fiscal cliff, many challenges remain—driven by rising entitlement program costs and skyrocketing interest expenses—to put the country on a sustainable fiscal path.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Schmitt emphasized that approaching the conversation from a place of curiosity and problem-solving, rather than entitlement, is critical.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
An airplane passenger's struggle to keep her personal space from being invaded by a fellow traveler has sparked discussion about etiquette and entitlement on flights.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entitlement
Cite this Entry
“Entitlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entitlement. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
entitlement
noun
en·ti·tle·ment
1
: the state or condition of being entitled : claim
evidence of victim's entitlement to money seized—National Law Journal
National Law Journal2
: 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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