DEPUTIZE Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

deputize

verb

ˈde-pyə-ˌtīz

Definition of deputize

as in to appoint

to appoint as one's representative he deputized a local citizen to take charge of the situation while he went for reinforcements

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of deputize They were accompanied by armed miners whom Testerman had deputized for support. — Elijah Tanall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 But Oklahoma’s highway patrol is one of 77 law enforcement agencies across the state now deputized by the federal government to carry out immigration enforcement actions under ICE’s 287(g) program. — Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 July 2026 Under the program, some police officers are deputized to carry out some immigration enforcement actions. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026 Under Trump, there has been a surge in 287(g) agreements, a Clinton-era program that deputizes police for immigration enforcement. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for deputize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deputize

Verb

The state Supreme Court ordered the public defender office to appoint a new lawyer for the defendant, struck all previous briefs from the record, and said the case will proceed in the court’s 2026-27 term.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Ramco had been asking the judge to either appoint a receiver or enforce a settlement agreement in which the hospitals’ owners would work to sell them to Insight Health Systems and Prasad would step down as CEO.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of appoint

Verb

Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about approving the legislation that would delegate authority on digital assets between the two agencies while missing commissioners.

— Davis Giangiulio,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
That capability cannot be delegated to a committee charter, however well drafted.

— Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of delegate

Browse Nearby Words

deputing

deputize

deputized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Deputize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deputize. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of deputize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

watershed

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes