denude

verb

de·​nude di-ˈn(y)üd 

dē-

denuded; denuding

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of something important

2

a

: to strip of all covering or surface layers

b

: to lay bare by erosion

c

: to strip (land) of forests

denudation

ˌdē-(ˌ)n(y)ü-ˈdā-shən 

ˌden-yu̇-

noun

denudement

di-ˈn(y)üd-mənt 

noun

Examples of denude in a Sentence

Excessive logging has denuded the hillside of trees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trash burning and water shortages are a worsening blight, while the construction of upscale villas has denuded vegetation and exacerbated a perennial flooding problem. —Charlie Campbell, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025

During Trump’s first term, the Republicans’ feed-the-rich Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 denuded the tax base, causing revenues as a percentage of G.D.P. to fall. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

Instead of Black life maimed, denuded of dignity, and degraded, each portrait that makes up I, Narcissus is a study of delicious glamour. —Essence, 5 Nov. 2024

Working with community leaders, Zhou's efforts have resulted in a significant decrease of ceremonial releases, denuding of wild populations and mistreated animals. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin denudare, from de- + nudus bare — more at naked

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for denude

• accrued
• allude
• collude
• conclude
• construed
• debuted
• delude
• elude
• endued
• ensued
• eschewed
• etude

Kids Definition

denude

verb

de·​nude di-ˈn(y)üd 

denuded; denuding

: to strip of covering : lay bare

erosion that denudes the rocks of soil

denudation

ˌdē-(ˌ)n(y)ü-ˈdā-shən 

ˌden-yu̇-

noun