denude

verb

de·​nude di-ˈn(y)üd How to pronounce denude (audio)
dē-
denuded; denuding
Synonyms of denudenext

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of something important
2
a
: to strip of all covering or surface layers
b
: to lay bare by erosion
c
: to strip (land) of forests
denudation
ˌdē-(ˌ)n(y)ü-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce denude (audio)
ˌden-yu̇-
noun
denudement
di-ˈn(y)üd-mənt How to pronounce denude (audio)
noun

Examples of denude in a Sentence

Excessive logging has denuded the hillside of trees.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The school itself is one story and sprawling, the campus denuded of pine trees. — Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 Although gulf fritillaries can denude passion vines of all foliage, the leaves quickly grow back, and fruit development is not affected. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026 Regionally, the Iranian regime was at its weakest in decades, denuded of antiair defenses. — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Mar. 2026 ProPublica and High Country News observed overgrazing in multiple states, including streambeds trampled by cattle, grasslands denuded by grazing and creeks fouled by cow corpses. — Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for denude

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin denudare, from de- + nudus bare — more at naked

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of denude was in 1513

Rhymes for denude

See All Rhymes for denude

Browse Nearby Words

denudative
denude
denuder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Denude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denude. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

denude

verb
de·​nude di-ˈn(y)üd How to pronounce denude (audio)
denuded; denuding
: to strip of covering : lay bare
erosion that denudes the rocks of soil
denudation
ˌdē-(ˌ)n(y)ü-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce denude (audio)
ˌden-yu̇-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on denude

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for denude

Nglish: Translation of denude for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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