bereaved 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈrēvd How to pronounce bereaved (audio)
Definition of bereavednext
as in grieving
suffering the death of a loved one the grief of the bereaved parents seemed to be without limit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bereaved

2 of 2

verb

variants or bereft
past tense of bereave
as in deprived
to take something away from news of a death in the family bereaved them of the unmitigated joy that normally prevails at a wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bereaved
Adjective
School Board leadership said Monday that the policy was formed with the help of bereaved mothers, mental health experts and high school principals. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026 Carie Hallford was the public face of Return to Nature, dealing with bereaved customers at the couple's funeral home in Colorado Springs. — ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Things culminate in a fatal accident in Florida, where the bereaved hold Tesla accountable via a lawsuit. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026 Edmonson even started a gifting service to support the newly bereaved at those weighty milestones throughout the first year of grief. — Delaney Rebernik, Time, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereaved
  1. bereft
  2. deprived
  3. widowed
  4. stripped
Adjective
  • Without a pole, hook, or tree to climb, squirrels are left defeated and bereft.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
  • Contributors have since raised over $120,000 of its $140,000 goal for the bereft family.
    — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of bereft
Verb
  • The collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the country of subsidized fuel and other economic assistance, revealing deep structural weaknesses in the North Korean economy.
    — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Streaming residuals were a key issue for both writers and actors during the 2023 strike, as workers argued that streaming platforms had broken the traditional TV model and deprived them of income needed to survive in an uncertain industry.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of deprived
Adjective
  • The show, which follows a widowed father of three who learns to find love again while balancing parenting, was quietly canceled by Prime Video earlier this week, according to Deadline.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • Paromita, a widowed teacher, conceals her loneliness behind the cover of duty and routine, while Shefali, a working wife, hides her bruises beneath concealer and silence.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026
Definition of widowed
Verb
  • Roughly 40 miles northwest of Charlotte, in a spanking-clean body shop off a two-lane country road sits one of Hollywood’s most famous cars, stripped to its essence.
    — Joe Marusak August 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Legal avenue opens up The revocation of the special-use permit stripped the facility of its ability to hold immigrants.
    — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stripped

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Bereaved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereaved. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bereaved

Nglish: Translation of bereaved for Spanish Speakers

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