deprive

[ dih-prahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, de·prived, de·priv·ing.

1. to remove or withhold something from the enjoyment or possession of (a person or persons):

   to deprive a man of life; to deprive a baby of candy.

2. to remove from ecclesiastical office.

deprive

/ dɪˈpraɪv /

verb

1. foll by of to prevent from possessing or enjoying; dispossess (of)
2. archaic.
   to remove from rank or office; depose; demote

Derived Forms

• deˈpriver, noun
• deˈprival, noun
• deˈprivable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·priva·ble adjective
• de·prival noun
• de·priv·a·tive [dih-, priv, -, uh, -tiv], adjective
• de·priver noun
• nonde·priva·ble adjective
• prede·prive verb (used with object) predeprived predepriving
• self-de·priving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprive¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English depriven, from Anglo-French, Old French depriver, from Medieval Latin dēprīvāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + prīvāre “to deprive” ( prīv(us) private + -āre infinitive suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprive¹

C14: from Old French depriver, from Medieval Latin dēprīvāre, from Latin de- + prīvāre to deprive of, rob; see private

Synonym Study

See strip ¹.

Example Sentences

Segregating dispensaries deprives small businesses of a ready income stream from the foot traffic dispensaries already generate.

From Voice of San Diego

The state and county boards contended that Hutchins had not yet been deprived of the right to vote.

From ProPublica

We know that if children miss out on their education, particularly those in more deprived areas, that will have a lasting negative impact on their health and their life chances.

From Fortune

Responding to my query, he wrote that “facial recognition should not be used to deprive people of liberty.”

From Nautilus

Here was Genius, which had invested considerable time and money in developing its lyrics database, allegedly being deprived of traffic and revenue — an argument that many aggrieved publishers identify with.

From Search Engine Land

“Scorched earth,” historically, means destroying land to deprive the encroaching enemy of its use.

From The Daily Beast

It would also deprive a lot of kids like Henry of the opportunity to present their asylum claims.

From The Daily Beast

But in reality all diets are basically the same—deprive the body of nutrients and it will begin to consume itself.

From The Daily Beast

But in principle you could deprive humans of all kind of things to see what happened.

From The Daily Beast

Is the market an inert force to be manipulated and exploited, to deprive it of hard-earned cash?

From The Daily Beast

Robert, emperor of Germany, died, just as a powerful combination had been formed to deprive him of the crown.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, then, by meriting happiness, I will take revenge upon the injustice which would deprive me of it.

From Project Gutenberg

In this case, the idea of a greater good determines him to deprive himself of one less desirable.

From Project Gutenberg

He will naturally resent it; it would deprive us of his friendship or regard: nay it would, perhaps, make him hate us.

From Project Gutenberg

Does not tyranny deprive princes of true power, the love of the people, in which is safety?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bankrupt
• bereave
• dispossess
• divest
• rob
• strip