Deprioritised vs. Deprioritized — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
"Deprioritised" and "deprioritized" mean to assign a lower priority to something. "Deprioritised" is preferred in British English, whereas "deprioritized" is the standard American English spelling.
Difference Between Deprioritised and Deprioritized
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Deprioritised" is the British English spelling, where "-ise" is often the preferred suffix for verbs. In British English, this suffix usage is consistent across many words like "organise" and "prioritise."
"Deprioritized," on the other hand, uses the "-ize" ending which is standard in American English. Words like "organize" and "prioritize" follow this pattern in American English.
"Deprioritised" and "deprioritized" both mean reducing the priority of an activity or goal. The only distinction lies in the regional spelling differences, making them interchangeable depending on the audience.
"Deprioritised" tends to be more familiar to readers and writers in regions that prefer British English, whereas "deprioritized" will be more widely understood by those accustomed to American English conventions.
In both cases, the pronunciation is similar, so spoken communication won't be affected by the spelling choice. The variation only becomes apparent in written form.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling Variant
British English
American English
Verb Suffix
"-ise"
"-ize"
Pronunciation
Identical
Identical
Regional Usage
UK, Australia, New Zealand
USA, Canada
Meaning
Assign a lower priority
Assign a lower priority
Compare with Definitions
Deprioritised
Placing less importance on an item or goal.
Unnecessary features were deprioritised to save time.
Deprioritized
Making a task less urgent.
Routine maintenance was deprioritized for now.
Deprioritised
Reducing focus to achieve better balance.
They deprioritised minor improvements to tackle significant bugs.
Deprioritized
To assign a lower level of importance.
The CEO deprioritized non-essential projects.
Deprioritised
Shifting resources away.
The company deprioritised regional sales.
Deprioritized
Adjusting focus or resources.
Sales goals were deprioritized due to budget cuts.
Deprioritised
Assigning less urgency.
The issue was deprioritised after management review.
Deprioritized
Moving away from previously critical goals.
The manager deprioritized quarterly reviews.
Deprioritised
To lower the priority of something.
The project was deprioritised to accommodate urgent tasks.
Deprioritized
Reducing emphasis on a given priority.
Minor features were deprioritized in favor of key improvements.
Deprioritised
Simple past tense and past participle of deprioritise
Deprioritized
Simple past tense and past participle of deprioritize
Common Curiosities
Are there other verbs with similar differences in British and American English?
Yes, verbs like "organise"/"organize" and "realise"/"realize" follow similar patterns.
Can I use these terms interchangeably?
Yes, but consider your audience’s regional spelling preferences.
Does the difference in spelling affect pronunciation?
No, both terms are pronounced the same way.
Why are there two spellings?
One follows British English (deprioritised) while the other adheres to American English (deprioritized).
What regions primarily use the spelling "deprioritized"?
"Deprioritized" is commonly used in the United States and Canada.
Will using the "wrong" regional spelling impact my credibility?
It could, depending on the formality of the document and the expectations of the audience.
How should I choose which spelling to use in my writing?
Base your choice on the regional preferences of your audience or the style guide you are following.
What should I do if my word processor marks "deprioritised" as incorrect?
Check your language settings and adjust them to British English if you wish to use that spelling.
Is one spelling more correct than the other?
No, both spellings are correct within their respective forms of English.
Is there any difference in meaning between "deprioritised" and "deprioritized"?
No, both mean the same thing—assigning a lower priority.
Which spelling should I use for international documents?
Choose based on the predominant English style in your target region, or stay consistent within the document.
What regions primarily use the spelling "deprioritised"?
"Deprioritised" is primarily used in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries where British English is standard.
Can the spelling variation affect the understanding of a text?
It might, especially if readers are not familiar with one of the regional spellings.
Are there any differences in how these terms are used in sentences?
No, "deprioritised" and "deprioritized" can be used interchangeably in the same contexts.
How can I remember which spelling to use?
Think of "s" in "deprioritised" for British English and "z" in "deprioritized" for American English, aligning with other common spelling patterns in each variant.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
