privation
noun
pri·va·tion
prī-ˈvā-shən 
1
: an act or instance of depriving : deprivation
2
: the state of being deprived
especially
: lack of what is needed for existence
Examples of privation in a Sentence
The country has suffered through long periods of economic privation.
the constant privation of sleep was starting to affect my work
Recent Examples on the Web
Life, fertility, and abundance—even amid the privations of the dry season.
—
Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
The privations are often treated with the nation’s trademark humor.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Aid groups have said stopping the war is ultimately the only way to help ease the privation in Gaza.
—Anushka Patil, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
More than a study of the impact of those stores, Connecticut could use a study of what pushed Hartford and its other cities from prosperity to privation.
—Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2024
The privations of the early pandemic brought back memories of her childhood in Communist Albania.
—Han Zhang, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2023
Although generally wealthier and better educated than the population as a whole, Christians in Gaza endured or were driven out by the same privations as other Palestinians — raging unemployment, lack of opportunity, periodic battles between Israel and Hamas.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023
The Israeli operation to capture it has turned it into a place of privation and fear.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
Jhula’s alcoholism worsened, and there was little in Biratnagar beyond privation and petty crime.
—Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
The privations are often treated with the nation’s trademark humor.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Aid groups have said stopping the war is ultimately the only way to help ease the privation in Gaza.
—Anushka Patil, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
More than a study of the impact of those stores, Connecticut could use a study of what pushed Hartford and its other cities from prosperity to privation.
—Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2024
The privations of the early pandemic brought back memories of her childhood in Communist Albania.
—Han Zhang, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2023
Although generally wealthier and better educated than the population as a whole, Christians in Gaza endured or were driven out by the same privations as other Palestinians — raging unemployment, lack of opportunity, periodic battles between Israel and Hamas.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023
The Israeli operation to capture it has turned it into a place of privation and fear.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
Jhula’s alcoholism worsened, and there was little in Biratnagar beyond privation and petty crime.
—Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'privation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near privation
Cite this Entry
“Privation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
privation
noun
pri·va·tion
prī-ˈvā-shən
: the state of being deprived
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