bereaved

1 of 2

adjective

be·​reaved bi-ˈrēvd 

bē-

: suffering the death of a loved one

bereaved families of the victims

bereaved

2 of 2

noun

plural bereaved

: someone who is suffering the death of a loved one : one who is bereaved

comfort the bereaved

Synonyms

Adjective

• grieving
• bereft
• widowed

Examples of bereaved in a Sentence

Adjective

the bereaved parents of the victims

the grief of the bereaved parents seemed to be without limit

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

They were joined by the October 7 Council, which represents bereaved families of soldiers who fell at the start of the war. —Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025

Bischoff’s is famous for creating prop animals for films, but now a bulk of its taxidermy requests come from bereaved pet owners. —Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025

Noun

The bereaved can heal, suicide prevention experts say, but their pain is often underestimated. —Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2022

The bereaved had reached out to Jones, who plans to help them find an attorney to settle the issue. —Shelia Poole, ajc, 19 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see bereave

Noun

see bereave

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bereaved

• the bereaved

Rhymes for bereaved

• disbelieved
• interleaved
• misconceived
• preconceived
• undeceived
• unperceived
• unrelieved
• achieved
• aggrieved
• believed
• conceived
• deceived

Kids Definition

bereaved

1 of 2 adjective

be·​reaved bi-ˈrēvd 

: suffering the death of a loved one

bereaved family members

bereaved

2 of 2 noun

plural bereaved

: a person who is bereaved