deprived

adjective

de·​prived di-ˈprīvd 

: marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of a good and healthful life

emotionally deprived children

people who are sleep-deprived [=people who do not get enough sleep]

Synonyms of deprived

• disadvantaged
• impoverished
• depressed
• poor
• underprivileged

Examples of deprived in a Sentence

The diet allows you to eat small amounts of your favorite foods, so you won't feel deprived.

a program to help deprived children

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a mandatory part of the academy scholarship where boys undertake community projects, working with schools in deprived areas close to St James’. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

After lawmakers in Germany determined that anonymous surrenders deprived children of the chance to learn anything about their parentage, Germany passed a confidential-birth law in 2014. —Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025

Children living in deprived settlements had to travel further to reach a playground, and those playgrounds tended to be smaller than those in less deprived areas. —Laurie Winkless, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Their comeback may help regenerate deprived economic regions like Italy's Abruzzo. —Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deprive

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deprived

• archived
• arrived
• connived
• contrived
• derived
• revived
• survived
• dived
• lived
• rived
• strived
• thrived

Kids Definition

deprived

adjective

: kept from having the necessities of life or a healthful environment

culturally deprived families

Legal Definition

deprived

adjective

: marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or care in a healthful environment

a deprived child