deputize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
deputizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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deputized,
past participle, past
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deputizing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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deputizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
deputized,
past participle, past
-
deputizing
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
deputizesimple
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deputizessimple
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have deputizedperfect
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has deputizedperfect
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am deputizingprogressive
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are deputizingprogressive
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is deputizingprogressive
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have been deputizingperfect progressive
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has been deputizingperfect progressive
Past
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deputizedsimple
-
had deputizedperfect
-
was deputizingprogressive
-
were deputizingprogressive
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had been deputizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of deputize
Explanation
To deputize is to appoint someone as a substitute, like a police deputy authorizing a civilian to make an arrest. The original meaning refers to when a deputy would give some of their power to non-police officers. When deputized, you took on some of the power of a deputy to help the real deputy. Similarly, deputizing can refer to making anyone a substitute. A teacher can deputize a student by putting them in charge of the class. A boss can deputize an employee by asking them to organize a meeting. Deputizing empowers someone to do a job.
Vocabulary lists containing deputize
March: Book Three
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Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom
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Zeitoun
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He remains eighth in the line of succession and could, theoretically, be one of the royal clan called to deputize for the monarch if he fell seriously sick.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
As ByteDance throws every weapon it can against the bill, a key element of its strategy has emerged: deputize its army of TikTok “creators” to become informal lobbyists, asking them to plead the company’s case.
From Slate ● Mar. 18, 2024
The pangrams from yesterday’s Spelling Bee were deputize and deputized.
From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2023
When agents met up with Girardi after the meeting, she recalled, “they asked me to raise my right hand because they wanted to deputize me because I did so well.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2023
“Get him to deputize you, Bob, and we will clean up this town as it hasn’t been cleaned since the flood.”
From The Mountain Divide by Armand Both
The Bank Secrecy Act, enacted in 1970, essentially deputizes banks to act as the first line of defense against money laundering.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025
The law effectively deputizes ordinary citizens — including those from outside Texas — allowing them to sue those who violate the law.
From New York Times ● Dec. 10, 2021
Assistant Dino Toppmöller deputizes on the touchline and said Nagelsmann is closely involved with the tactics.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 23, 2021
Wade, also deputizes private citizens to sue offenders for at least $10,000.
From Salon ● Sep. 17, 2021
This leader has an assistant or lieutenant to whom he deputizes great power.
From Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation by S. D. (Samuel Dickey) Gordon
Blakeman has also chartered a militia, hiring and deputized armed citizens for mobilization during emergency declarations.
From Slate ● Dec. 29, 2025
A new group deputized to police player pay, the College Sports Commission, isn’t fully operational.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration, which for decades has deputized Boeing employees to sign off on some safety matters on the agency’s behalf, has forced it to limit production.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 2024
After “The Last Waltz,” he deputized Robertson to be his music consultant and soundtrack supervisor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2023
They were thugs and riffraff, deputized at the whim of industrial corporations in the valley.
From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell
Houser went on to explain that there are a few different permutations of deputization the administration could pursue, including deputizing National Guard troops or local law enforcement before they start using private contractors.
From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2025
“They are a triple act,” he said, with the queen deputizing when needed.
From Washington Post ● May 10, 2022
As she recovered from a fall, my fiercely independent mother-in-law apologized to her children for deputizing them with the task of cleaning out the family home.
From New York Times ● Apr. 9, 2022
For years, the FAA has relied on Boeing employees to certify the airworthiness of planes by deputizing some company employees to act on behalf of the agency.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 15, 2022
Now and then he made half a sovereign extra by deputizing on the organ.
From The Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories by Arnold Bennett
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
