deputize

verb

dep·​u·​tize ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz How to pronounce deputize (audio)
deputized; deputizing

transitive verb

: to appoint as deputy

intransitive verb

: to act as deputy
deputization noun

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
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.
Under a pending agreement with ICE, the Guard's role enforcing immigration laws could expand to providing additional military personnel to be trained by ICE and deputized into assisting with policing immigration. Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025 The message being sent is that the FCC is deputizing station owners to take on their network partners. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has taken up the anti-immigrant campaign aggressively, deputizing law-enforcement officers to assist ICE in its roundups. Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 City and state law enforcement have signed what are known as 287(g) agreements with ICE, which allow nonfederal police to be deputized to work with ICE and carry out federal immigration enforcement. Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deputize

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of deputize was circa 1736

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deputize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputize. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

deputize

verb
dep·​u·​tize ˈdep-yə-ˌtīz How to pronounce deputize (audio)
deputized; deputizing
1
: to appoint as deputy
2
: to act as deputy

Legal Definition

deputize

verb
dep·​u·​tize ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz How to pronounce deputize (audio)
deputized; deputizing

transitive verb

: to appoint as deputy

intransitive verb

: to act as deputy

More from Merriam-Webster on deputize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!