Meaning & use
denuded
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“denuded” is a form of “denude”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Having had a natural covering, such as trees, grass, or soil, removed so that the surface is bare.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or before a noun, and often followed by 'of' to name what was removed.
Patterns
- be denuded of something
- denuded land
- denuded hillside
The hillside was denuded of trees after the logging company moved in.
Denuded soil washes away quickly when heavy rain falls.
The storm left the coast denuded of its protective sand dunes.
adjectivenot comparable
Having had a covering or layer removed, leaving something bare or exposed.
Grammar: Often used with 'of' to say what was stripped away.
Patterns
- be denuded of something
- denuded of clothing
- denuded surface
The statue had been denuded of its gold leaf over the centuries.
The patient's skin was denuded of its top layer after the burn.
The walls were denuded of paint, showing the old brick underneath.
Word forms
| base form | denude |
|---|---|
| third person singular | denudes |
| past tense | denuded |
| past participle | denuded |
| -ing form | denuding |
Common combinations
- denuded of vegetation
- The valley was denuded of vegetation after the fire.
- denuded landscape
- The denuded landscape looked gray and rocky.
- denuded hillside
- Rain poured down the denuded hillside.
- completely denuded
- The area was completely denuded by years of overgrazing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bare
- This is the everyday word for having no covering; 'denuded' is more formal and suggests that a covering was removed.
- stripped
- This is common and often implies force or deliberate removal; 'denuded' is more formal and often used about land.
- exposed
- This focuses on something being left open to view or harm; 'denuded' focuses on the loss of a covering.
Opposites
Word family
- denude verb
- To remove a covering from something.
- denudation noun
- The process of stripping a covering from land or a surface.
Commonly confused: denuded or denied?
denuded vs denied
These sound somewhat similar but 'denied' means refused or said something is not true; 'denuded' means stripped bare.
Practice
The forest was denuded ______ its tallest trees.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'denuded' is followed by 'of' to name what was removed. 'From' is used with the verb 'denude' in active sentences (e.g., 'denude the land of trees' takes 'of' as well, but here the adjective pattern is 'denuded of'). 'With' and 'by' do not fit the meaning of stripping away.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “denuded”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.