Reprived, Reprieve, or Deprived: Which Is Correct?

"Reprived" is a misspelling of either "reprieved" or "deprived."

To reprieve (verb) means to cancel or postpone a punishment, penalty, or sentence, usually temporarily. It often refers to the execution of someone who has been condemned to death or a delay in carrying out a legal penalty.

For example, if a governor reprieved a prisoner's death sentence, that means he or she granted more time for an appeal, subsequently delaying the prisoner's execution.

"Deprived" is an adjective used to describe a state of lacking or being without something essential or necessary. It often implies a condition of disadvantage or hardship due to the absence of fundamental needs or opportunities.

For instance, children growing up in poverty are often deprived of access to quality education and healthcare. That means they face a lack of resources and medical care that other children of higher socioeconomic status may enjoy.

Example sentences

Reprieved:

The unexpected discovery of new evidence led to a last-minute reprieved verdict for the wrongly accused man.
The prisoner felt a sense of relief when he was reprieved from the originally harsh sentence.
The impending deadline for the project was reprieved due to technical difficulties with the computer system.
The governor's decision to reprieve the controversial legislation sparked a heated debate among lawmakers.
The soccer match was reprieved because of the heavy rain, allowing the teams to play at a later date.

Deprived:

Children who are deprived of access to books and education may face significant challenges in their development.
Growing up in an isolated rural area, she often felt deprived of the cultural experiences available in larger cities.
Despite her talent, financial constraints deprived her of the opportunity to pursue a career in music.
The economic downturn left many families feeling deprived of the comforts they once enjoyed.
The prolonged illness deprived him of the physical strength he once had, making everyday tasks more challenging.

Want to sound like a native speaker?

Engram’s AI-powered grammar checker makes your English sound like a native speaker’s, suggesting natural English expressions on top of fixing grammar, spelling, punctuation, word order, and vocabulary.