deprive

verb

de·​prive di-ˈprīv How to pronounce deprive (audio)
deprived; depriving
Synonyms of deprive

transitive verb

1
: to take something away from
… deprived him of his professorship …—J. M. Phalen
the risk of injury when the brain is deprived of oxygen
2
: to withhold something from
deprived a citizen of their rights
3
: to remove from office
… the Archbishop … would be deprived and sent to the Tower …—Edith Sitwell
4
obsolete : remove
'Tis honor to deprive dishonored life …—Shakespeare

Synonyms of deprive

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Examples of deprive in a Sentence

working those long hours was depriving him of his sleep a prince who had been deprived after those who opposed the monarchy came to power
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.
The Russian nighttime barrage hit 28 substations and other critical energy facilities, depriving more than a half-million people of electricity, heat and running water, Zelenskyy said on social media. — Samya Kullab, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 Russian barrage kills a 21-year-old woman The Russian nighttime barrage hit 28 substations and other crucial energy facilities, depriving more than half a million people of electricity, heat and running water, Zelensky said on social media. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 But the judge overreached, depriving city voters of a choice in the District 2 race and making Wright’s opponent Mike Gelin, who sued Wright, an automatic winner, pending the outcome of court appeals. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 The absence of Tom Hagen is glaring, as is the loss of Sonny Corleone, whose death in the original film deprived the third installment of another defining character from the Corleone family. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deprive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English depriven, from Anglo-French depriver, from Medieval Latin deprivare, from Latin de- + privare to deprive — more at private entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of deprive was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing deprive

Rhymes for deprive

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Browse Nearby Words

deprivation
deprive
deprived
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deprive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deprive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deprive

verb
de·​prive di-ˈprīv How to pronounce deprive (audio)
deprived; depriving
1
: to take something away from
deprive a ruler of power
2
: to stop from having something
deprived of sleep by street noises
deprivation
ˌdep-rə-ˈvā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

deprive

transitive verb
de·​prive di-ˈprīv How to pronounce deprive (audio)
deprived; depriving
: to take something away from and especially something that is usually considered essential for mental or physical well-being
a child deprived of emotional support
tissue deprived of oxygen

Legal Definition

deprive

transitive verb
de·​prive
deprived; depriving
: to take away or withhold something from
no person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law—U.S. Constitution amend. V
deprivation
ˌde-prə-ˈvā-shən, ˌdē-ˌprī- How to pronounce deprive (audio)
noun
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