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.
Crews used tactical burns overnight, deliberately consuming vegetation ahead of active sectors to deprive the main fire of fuel. — Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 The goal is not to deprive the body of an essential nutrient. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 Stefanishyna told reporters at an event sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor on Thursday, July 30, that Ukraine's only intention is to deprive Russia of the means to wage its war against her country. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 31 July 2026 And although Etna’s narrative voice—vulnerable, curious, endearingly direct—inclines the reader to envision the pluckiest good boy, humanity’s violence deprives him of a gentle youth. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 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 3 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on deprive

Nglish: Translation of deprive for Spanish Speakers

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