deputize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
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
Do we deputize our law clerks as historians?
From Slate • May 14, 2024
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
Server owners can deputize moderators to enforce the rules.
From New York Times • Dec. 29, 2021
He bent his eyes on Bob: “Better get Brush to deputize you to make the arrest.”
From The Mountain Divide by Both, Armand
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.
