deputize
verb
dep·u·tize
ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz 
deputized; deputizing
: to appoint as deputy
: to act as deputy
Examples of deputize in a Sentence
I deputize for the newspaper's editor on the weekends.
he deputized a local citizen to take charge of the situation while he went for reinforcements
Recent Examples on the Web
The state-level agreements, signed by Stitt on February 18 and 25, deputized the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
—
Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Feb. 2026
Today, the program allows the Department of Homeland Security to form agreements with state and local law enforcement, deputizing them to enforce federal immigration law.
—Robin Grammer, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
Florida Highway Patrol, which is deputized to do immigration enforcement, conducting an arrest while refusing to say why, violently arresting a family member for daring to ask why the arrest is happening, and threatening to arrest a bystander in a public street who is filming.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Much attention goes to the NFL’s overseas games, but the league has also deputized its teams to help spread the sport in other international markets.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputize
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Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Feb. 2026
Today, the program allows the Department of Homeland Security to form agreements with state and local law enforcement, deputizing them to enforce federal immigration law.
—Robin Grammer, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
Florida Highway Patrol, which is deputized to do immigration enforcement, conducting an arrest while refusing to say why, violently arresting a family member for daring to ask why the arrest is happening, and threatening to arrest a bystander in a public street who is filming.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Much attention goes to the NFL’s overseas games, but the league has also deputized its teams to help spread the sport in other international markets.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputize
Cite this Entry
“Deputize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputize. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deputize
verb
dep·u·tize
ˈdep-yə-ˌtīz
deputized; deputizing
1
: to appoint as deputy
2
: to act as deputy
Legal Definition
deputize
verb
dep·u·tize
ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz
deputized; deputizing
: to appoint as deputy
: to act as deputy
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