Standard Lemma guide

denaturalize

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /diːˈnæt(jə)ɹəlaɪz/
  • UK: /diːˈnætʃəɹəlaɪz/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To revoke or deny the citizenship of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • After the regime fell, the leader was executed and the principal party members were denaturalized and deported.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make less natural; to cause to deviate from its nature.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To cease to treat as natural.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

strip of the rights and duties of citizenship

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The former Nazi was denaturalized

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: denaturalise

Antonyms: naturalize

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

5

verb

Meaning 5

make less natural or unnatural

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: denaturalise

Antonyms: naturalize

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

History

Etymology

From de- + naturalize.