Meaning
Deprive A of B means to take something away from someone (A), preventing them from having or enjoying it (B). It usually has a negative nuance, implying loss, unfairness, or harm.
Grammar and Usage
- Structure: deprive + A (person/thing) + of + B (object/benefit/right)
- Verb type: Transitive (requires both object A and object B).
- Often used in formal or serious contexts (law, rights, opportunities, necessities).
Example structure:
- The law deprives citizens of their rights.
- Illness deprived her of happiness.
Common Phrases
- deprive someone of sleep
- deprive someone of rights
- deprive someone of freedom
- deprive someone of a chance
- deprive someone of life (very formal, legal/poetic)
Collocations
- deprive sb of liberty/freedom
- deprive sb of property/possessions
- deprive sb of opportunity/chance
- deprive sb of love/companionship
- deprive sb of food/sleep/rest
Examples
- The new regulations deprived workers of some important benefits.
- The accident deprived him of the ability to walk.
- She was deprived of sleep because of the loud noise outside.
- Poverty often deprives children of education.
- The dictator deprived the people of their freedom.
- Being away from home deprived him of comfort and support.
- The disease deprived her of her strength.
- They were deprived of the chance to defend themselves.
Synonyms or Related
- strip A of B
- rob A of B
- dispossess
- take away
- deny
Antonym
- grant A B
- provide A with B
- give A B
- allow A to have B