deputize
verb
dep·u·tize
ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz 
deputized; deputizing
: to appoint as deputy
: to act as deputy
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
The legislation would shield agencies and individual officers from civil liability while deputized on behalf of ICE, requiring the attorney general’s office to represent local agents and officers implicated in civil rights lawsuits stemming from ICE action.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
The decision by the Marshals Service to deputize Musk’s security detail prompted immediate scrutiny.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The most intensive version of the program, called the Task Force Model, deputizes local police to enforce immigration law, including arresting people on ICE's behalf during regular law enforcement work, like traffic stops.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
But the document suggests Florida agencies have been assigned more funding than those in any other state through the federal 287(g) program — a controversial initiative that deputizes local officers to carry out limited immigration enforcement duties.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
The decision by the Marshals Service to deputize Musk’s security detail prompted immediate scrutiny.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The most intensive version of the program, called the Task Force Model, deputizes local police to enforce immigration law, including arresting people on ICE's behalf during regular law enforcement work, like traffic stops.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
But the document suggests Florida agencies have been assigned more funding than those in any other state through the federal 287(g) program — a controversial initiative that deputizes local officers to carry out limited immigration enforcement duties.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputize
Cite this Entry
“Deputize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputize. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
: to appoint as deputy
: to act as deputy
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
