What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deprive
Example
The government cannot deprive citizens of their basic rights. [deprive: verb]
Example
The drought has deprived the farmers of their crops and livelihood. [deprived: past participle]
deny
Example
The teacher denied the student's request for an extension on the assignment. [denied: past tense]
Example
The company denied any wrongdoing in the environmental pollution case. [denying: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deny is more commonly used than deprive in everyday language. Deny is a more general term that can be applied to a wide range of situations, while deprive is more specific and often used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deprive and deny?
While deny can be used in both formal and informal contexts, deprive is typically associated with a more formal tone and is often used in legal or official documents.
