dead 1 of 3

adjective

ˈded How to pronounce dead (audio)
Definition of deadnext
1
as in deceased
no longer living I inherited this heirloom from my dead great-grandfather

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2
as in slow
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation the store is often dead after 4:00 p.m.

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3
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness a long day of traveling left them just dead

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4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions there was a dead silence following that incredibly moving performance

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5
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling my foot was dead after I absentmindedly sat on it for an hour

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6
as in extinct
no longer existing the dead Babylonian culture

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7
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment local coal mines that have been dead for years

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8
as in deadly
of, relating to, or suggestive of death fell into a dead faint upon hearing the news

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9
as in doomed
facing certain defeat, disaster, or death if we don't finish this project on time, we're dead

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10
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor from the first sip I could tell that the wine hadn't aged well and was pretty much dead

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11
as in barren
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation the dead wastes of the far country to the west

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dead

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in straight
in a direct line or course the finish line is dead ahead

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2
as in completely
to a full extent or degree I'm dead certain that's the one I want

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dead

3 of 3

noun

as in death
the state of being dead it's impossible to raise someone from the dead

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dead contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dead are deceased, defunct, departed, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life.

a dead, listless performance

How does the word deceased relate to other synonyms for dead?

Deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

When is it sensible to use defunct instead of dead?

The words defunct and dead are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

Where would departed be a reasonable alternative to dead?

The synonyms departed and dead are sometimes interchangeable, but departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When might late be a better fit than dead?

Although the words late and dead have much in common, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

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 dead
Adjective
Neighbors had started performing CPR on her before firefighters arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 The man was transported to Advocate Christ Hospital Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead, police said. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Adverb
The woods were dead silent except for the sound of her huffing and sniffing. — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026 That might explain why, now 16 matches into the season, Sporting entered the day dead-last in the Western Conference. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Noun
The entire neighborhood will sense presences and hear the distinctive sounds of their own dead. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 July 2026 Iran cannot, because the people who made so many thousands of our dead are still the people in charge, still adding to the count. — Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead
  1. deceased
  2. slow
  3. tired
  4. absolute
  5. numb
  6. extinct
  7. dormant
  8. deadly
Adjective
  • Researchers behind the study, the largest ever of deceased NFL players’ brains, said the true prevalence of brain disease at death was probably higher.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The rules for claiming a small stock dividend, for instance, may be different than claiming a large cash settlement or a deceased relative’s safety deposit box.
    — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceased
Adjective
  • The challenge is that the hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in alkaline environments, increasing the need for catalysts that can deliver high activity without rapidly losing performance.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • As Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet premier and promised new openness with a policy of glasnost, a slow thaw would begin toward free speech, human rights, the release of political dissidents and relaxed restrictions on emigration.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Pinterest says Gen Z and Millennials are putting their own spins on trends rather than copying them, a sign that visible under-eyes and lived-in finishes could outlast the tired girl label itself.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Republican president looks increasingly tired and running out of steam, has not introduced any major new initiatives and could see the political writing on the wall.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Keep in mind that this isn’t an absolute confirmation of a series production Slantnose 911.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The largest fish had a considerably lower absolute speed than its smaller cousins.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of absolute
Adjective
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to reveal details of the administration’s sanctions plans later today on a country which has so far been numb to economic pain.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Then, in late May 1986, Kontras, whose tall, athletic build discloses a lifelong dedication to good health, noticed a swelling on the left side of his back that was numb to the touch.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of numb
Adjective
  • Scientists found evidence years ago that our species, Homo sapiens, had interbred with now-extinct human relatives, including Neanderthals and Denisovans.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In 2026, 60-game starters are nearly extinct — the Utah Mammoth’s Karel Vejmelka was the sole representative of that club last season.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of extinct
Adjective
  • For me, Sliman was pouring water on a dormant seed anxious to sprout.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Various micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) can also lie dormant in the tissues for centuries and can recolonize and multiply due to a ready supply of organic material—particularly if the remains have been stored in suboptimal conditions.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • Rabies is a deadly virus that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Tropical Storm Moke is making its closest approach to Hawaii as the state braces for its second tropical threat in less than a week after deadly Hurricane Lala tore through parts of the islands.
    — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of deadly

Phrases Containing dead

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deactivating
dead
deadbeat
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Cite this Entry

“Dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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