deprivation

The state of not having something you need, such as food, sleep, money, or care.

• Sleep deprivation makes it hard to concentrate.
• Many children in the area experience severe deprivation.
• Years of emotional deprivation affected her relationships.

How to use it: deprivation of something (Deprivation of sleep can affect your memory.)

Similar words: privation, lack

Common phrases: sleep deprivation, social deprivation, emotional deprivation, oxygen deprivation

The act of taking away something that someone has or should have.

• The law forbids arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
• They protested the deprivation of their voting rights.
• Forced deprivation of property left many families homeless.

How to use it: deprivation of something (The court ruled that the deprivation of his property was unlawful.)

Similar words: removal, dispossession

Common phrases: deprivation of liberty, deprivation of rights, forced deprivation

The removal of a church official from a position or from its income and rights.

• The bishop ordered the priest’s deprivation.
• A sentence of deprivation removed him from office.
• The records describe his deprivation of the benefice.

How to use it: deprivation of something (The priest faced deprivation of his benefice.)

Similar words: deposition, removal

Common phrases: deprivation of office, sentence of deprivation