deputize

verb

dep·​u·​tize ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz 

deputized; deputizing

transitive verb

: to appoint as deputy

intransitive verb

: to act as deputy

deputization

ˌde-pyə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of deputize

• appoint
• delegate

Examples of deputize in a Sentence

I deputize for the newspaper's editor on the weekends.

he deputized a local citizen to take charge of the situation while he went for reinforcements

Recent Examples on the Web

On August 12, a new Presidential Memorandum authorized the federal government to deputize vetted private corporations to conduct activities in support of law enforcement operations against cyber-enabled transnational criminal organizations. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The agency is proposing to subsidize liability insurance for state and local officers who are trained and deputized to enforce federal immigration laws, according to a planning document published Friday. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Under a task force agreement, a version of 287(g) that Walton County signed onto last year, officers are deputized to perform specific types of immigration enforcement in the field. — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

They were accompanied by armed miners whom Testerman had deputized for support. — Elijah Tanall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for deputize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

deputize

verb

dep·​u·​tize ˈdep-yə-ˌtīz 

deputized; deputizing

1

: to appoint as deputy

2

: to act as deputy

Legal Definition

deputize

verb

dep·​u·​tize ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz 

deputized; deputizing

transitive verb

: to appoint as deputy

intransitive verb

: to act as deputy