Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
privation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'privation' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an act of being deprived of something, or the state of having been deprived of something. For example, "The study found that poverty leads to privation in education and health outcomes."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The index uses a more complex model of privation, which takes into account productivity, quality of life, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability, as well as equity and social inclusion.
News & Media
It charts the violent death, in 1946 rural Kent, of a middle-aged reclusive woman, at a time when Britain's celebratory mood is muted by privation and rationing.
News & Media
Officials insist they are moving as fast as they can to overhaul their labour laws and improve conditions for construction workers, who face privation, penury and harsh restrictions on workplace rights in the Gulf state.
News & Media
And with each passing day the situation only gets worse with growing reports of privation outside Athens.
News & Media
The delta of his title is a vast tract of land between the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, a source of agricultural riches, particularly cotton, and home to a poor black population whose very privation inspired an impassioned musical culture.Mr Gioia's authoritative chronicle interweaves the steamy character of the delta with the hard lot of its population.
News & Media
It is a huge task.In this section Europe goes to the polls Collective insecurity Kick-starting India Privet and privation On being forgotten ReprintsA lost half-decadeA decade ago India's economy was winning new-found respect as a riot of energy and enterprise, but its performance in recent years has been dismal.
News & Media
Their residents are the new forgotten people.In this section Europe goes to the polls Collective insecurity Kick-starting India Privet and privation On being forgotten ReprintsSince 2008 the murder rate in England's biggest metropolitan areas London, Manchester and the West Midlands—has declined five times faster than in the country as a whole.
News & Media
And it is not clear that Iraqis, after a quarter of a century of war and privation under Saddam, will accept his son.
News & Media
Extreme privation did not prevent tens of thousands of defiant supporters in Gaza this week from celebrating Hamas's founding.
News & Media
If the politicians can just hang on, won't a slow but steady recovery win back all those disgruntled citizens?In this section Europe goes to the polls Collective insecurity Kick-starting India Privet and privation On being forgotten ReprintsNo.
News & Media
A book called "Dark Side of the Moon" tried to alert the West to the Soviet deportation of hundreds of thousands of Polish civilians to privation and death.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "privation" to describe not just a lack of material goods, but also the absence of opportunities, rights, or emotional support.
Common error
Avoid using "privation" solely in the context of economic hardship. It can also refer to the lack of intangible necessities like education or freedom.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The word "privation" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state of being deprived of something essential. It can refer to material needs, opportunities, or emotional well-being. Ludwig AI indicates that "privation" is a correct and usable word.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
25%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Reference
1%
Wiki
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The word "privation" is a versatile noun used to describe the state of being deprived of something essential, ranging from basic necessities to intangible needs such as emotional support or opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable term, commonly found in news and media, scientific articles, and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "deprivation", "hardship", and "destitution" exist, "privation" encompasses a broader range of deprivations, including emotional and social dimensions. Remember to use the word to accurately depict not only material lack, but also the absence of vital opportunities and support systems. With a source quality score of 89 and an expert rating of 4.5, "privation" is a reliable and effective term for communicating conditions of scarcity and deprivation.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
deprivation
Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of depriving or the state of being deprived.
hardship
Focuses on the difficult conditions and suffering caused by a lack of resources.
destitution
Implies extreme poverty and a complete lack of basic necessities.
penury
Similar to destitution, highlighting severe impoverishment and lack of resources.
want
A general term for lacking something necessary or desired.
neediness
Emphasizes the state of requiring essential resources or support.
lack of necessities
Highlights the absence of essential items required for survival or well-being.
impoverishment
Focuses on the process of becoming poor or deprived.
state of indigence
A formal term indicating extreme poverty and lack of means.
absence of comfort
Emphasizes the lack of ease, well-being, or luxury.
FAQs
How can I use "privation" in a sentence?
You can use "privation" to describe the state of lacking essential resources or opportunities, such as "The long years of war led to widespread "privation" and suffering among the civilian population".
What words can I use instead of "privation"?
Alternatives to "privation" include "deprivation", "hardship", or "destitution", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.
Is it correct to use "privation" to describe emotional lack?
Yes, "privation" can refer to the lack of emotional support or nurturing, not just material goods. For example, "emotional "privation" in childhood can have long-lasting effects".
What is the difference between "privation" and "poverty"?
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested