deprive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deprive" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb and is used to mean to take away (something from someone) or to prevent someone from having something. Example: The oppressive government rules deprive the citizens of basic human rights.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The researchers conducting the drug trials opted to give the treatments to all patients who want them, with the support of a World Health Organisation ethics committee, which decided that the death rate was so high it would be unethical to deprive anybody of a drug that might work.

The Guardian

But who knows at what age Barlow began planning to present the public face of a charitable do-gooder, while secretly scheming to deprive the weak and vulnerable of succour, if indeed he ever did so?

The Guardian - Opinion

The same level of shortfall in the next parliament would deprive the Treasury of £109bn in revenue, the party says.

The Guardian

On Thursday, opinion polls by Ipsos/Mori and YouGov suggested Labour faced the prospect of losing most of its 41 Scottish seats to the SNP in next May's general election – enough, potentially, to deprive it of a majority in Westminster.

The Guardian

The barbarians are hacking down the legacy of Assyria while we quietly deprive our state school children of the wonderful gifts of the Greeks.

The Guardian

That's why Labour's economic credibility has polled so poorly over the past five years, the weak point that may yet help deprive the party of victory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Totally Wicked, which employs 150 people in Blackburn, Lancashire, says rules due to come into force in May 2016 are disproportionate and deprive consumers of an alternative source of "recreational" nicotine.

The Guardian

The message is blunt: if it's on TV and aristocrats are involved, then the state can deprive you of your liberty for as long as it likes.

The Guardian - Opinion

His absence apparently will divest the team of their laughs, while that of Mitchell Johnson will similarly deprive numerous England supporters of theirs.

The Guardian - Sport

It is an international problem and governments and security forces have to share information and intelligence and work together to deprive the terrorists of the opportunities and constantly ensure that they are on the wrong foot.

The Guardian

The judge added: "To maintain and continue the present somatic support for the mother would deprive her of dignity and subject her father, her partner and her young children to unimaginable distress in a futile exercise which commenced only because of fears held by treating medical specialists of potential consequences".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deprive", be specific about what is being taken away and the impact on the person or entity being deprived. This adds clarity and emotional weight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "deprive" loosely. Ensure that the loss is significant and that the deprivation is not merely a minor inconvenience. Overusing the word diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deprive" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being taken away. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts where something is being taken away from someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "deprive" is a transitive verb used to express the act of taking something away from someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammar rules and is widely used across various contexts. The examples show that the term is very common, and the semantic analysis indicates that the word typically conveys a sense of loss or denial. It is particularly frequent in News & Media but can also be found in Formal & Business contexts. When using "deprive", ensure you clearly state what is being taken away to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rob of

Suggests an illegal or immoral taking of something.

deny access to

Focuses on preventing someone from obtaining or using something.

strip of

Suggests a forceful or thorough removal, often implying a loss of essential elements.

divest of

Indicates a formal or legal removal of rights or possessions.

withhold from

Implies a temporary or conditional holding back of something.

cut off from

Suggests a complete and often sudden separation or removal.

dispossess of

Emphasizes the act of removing someone from their property or position.

bereave of

Focuses on the emotional loss resulting from the removal of something valued.

oust from

Implies a removal from a position or place of power.

preclude from

Highlights the act of making something impossible or preventing it from happening.

FAQs

How to use "deprive" in a sentence?

You can use "deprive" to indicate the act of taking something away from someone, for example, "The new laws "deprive citizens of their rights"".

What can I say instead of "deprive"?

Alternatives include "divest of", "strip of", or "deny access to", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "deprive of" or "deprive from"?

"Deprive of" is the correct and idiomatic usage. "Deprive from" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "The drought "deprived the land of water"" is correct.

What's the difference between "deprive" and "deny"?

"Deprive" means to take something away, whereas "deny" means to refuse to grant something. For example, you can "deprive" someone of their freedom, but you "deny" them permission.