deprive
gb/dɪpɹˈaɪv/ us/dɪpɹˈaɪv/
B2
English
~ 6900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
take away something needed or owed
To stop someone from having something they need or should have, by taking it away or not letting them have it.
Usage pattern:
to deprive [someone] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"deprive someone from something"* instead of the correct pattern *"deprive someone of something"*. Another common confusion is between **"deprive"** (take something away) and **"deprave"** (make morally bad).
Synonyms
deny (Focuses on refusing to give something that is requested or expected, not always on taking it away.)
|
rob (Stronger and more emotional; often suggests unfairly taking something important, sometimes by force or crime.)
|
strip (Often used for removing rights, powers, or honors in a strong, sometimes official way.)
Antonyms
provide (Opposite because it means to give what is needed, rather than taking it away.)
|
grant (Opposite in contexts of rights and opportunities, where something is officially given instead of withheld.)
Collocations
deprive someone of sleep
|deprive someone of freedom
|deprive someone of their rights
|deprive someone of the chance
|deprive a child of love
|deprive someone of life
Themes
society
|law
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- Working night shifts can deprive you of sleep and social life.
- The new law could deprive many people of the help they depend on.
- Prisoners were deprived of contact with their families for months.
- Growing up during the war deprived him of a normal childhood.
- Cutting art classes will deprive students of a valuable way to express themselves.
Learner examples
- The long trip deprived him of sleep.
- The accident deprived her of the chance to play in the final game.
- The storm deprived many homes of electricity.
- His illness deprived him of the energy to work.
- The strict rules deprived the children of any free time.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
officially remove rights or status
To take away someone’s official right, job, or legal position by a formal or legal decision.
Usage pattern:
to deprive [someone] of [a right / status / position]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this formal sense in everyday contexts where a simpler verb like *take away* or *remove* is more natural. Also, they may forget that this sense is usually used in official or legal situations, often in the passive voice: *"He was deprived of his license."*
Synonyms
disqualify (Used when someone is officially stopped from taking part in an activity or competition, not usually for general rights.)
|
disenfranchise (More specific and technical; used mainly for taking away the right to vote.)
|
divest (Formal; can mean removing powers, rights, or property, especially in legal or business contexts.)
Antonyms
restore (Opposite in legal/formal contexts, where previously removed rights or status are given back.)
|
entitle (Opposite because it gives someone a right or claim, instead of taking it away.)
Collocations
deprive someone of citizenship
|deprive someone of custody
|deprive someone of their rights
|deprive someone of their license
|deprive someone of their title
|deprive someone of authority
Themes
law
|politics
|society
Examples
- The court decision deprived him of custody of his children.
- The government was criticized for depriving many citizens of their voting rights.
- After the scandal, she was deprived of her title and pension.
- Drivers can be deprived of their license for repeated drunk driving offenses.
- The new rules could deprive local councils of much of their authority.
Learner examples
- The judge deprived him of his driving license.
- The new law may deprive some people of their right to vote.
- He was deprived of his position after the investigation.
- They were deprived of citizenship because of false documents.
- The court deprived the parents of custody of the child.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deprive
IPA
GB/dɪpɹˈaɪv/
US/dɪpɹˈaɪv/
Syllables & stress
de - prive (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prive)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deprive
- 3rd Person Singular: deprives
- Present Participle: depriving
- Past: deprived
Word family
Forms
deprives
verb
depriving
verb
deprived
verb
Core family
deprivation
noun B2
Related words
privilege
noun B1
privileged
adjective
Expressions
deprive someone of something
1/dɪpɹˈaɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
stop a person having something
To take something away from a person, or not let them have it, so they no longer have it.
Examples
- The new schedule deprives workers of time with their families.
- Poor nutrition deprives children of the chance to grow strong.
- The court ruling deprived him of his right to appeal.