Definition

To take away someone's citizenship or to make something unnatural.

Example

The government decided to denaturalize individuals who had committed serious crimes.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about the new law that could denaturalize some citizens?

Yeah, it sounds really unfair to me.

I can’t believe they would actually take away someone's citizenship like that.

It definitely makes you think about what it means to belong.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Denaturalize → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down, away, or reverse) and "naturalize" (from Latin "naturalizare", meaning to make natural). The word "denaturalize" means to reverse the process of making something natural or to remove its natural qualities.

Memory Tip

Think of 'removing' ('de-') the 'natural qualities' ('naturalize') from something — that's what denaturalize means.

Visually Confused Words