the dead
noun
: the state of being dead
—usually used in the phrases rise from the dead or come back from the dead or return from the dead to mean to become alive again after dying
For a moment, I thought that my grandfather had come back from the dead.
They believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
Examples of the dead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During their hospitalization, Alameda County Vector Control laid rat traps in and around the RV and sealed the vehicle, only opening it to remove the dead rats.
—
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Five of the dead were from mainland China and two from Hong Kong.
—CNN Money, 11 June 2026
In the dead of night, the earth beneath Southern California buckled, shaking millions of people, damaging or destroying hundreds of buildings, breaking the California Aqueduct and sending more than a billion gallons of water flooding into an ancient desert lake bed.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
The medical examiner’s role, spelled out in Florida statute, requires the dead be identified, injuries and wounds be documented and cause and manner of death be determined.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the dead
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.
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Five of the dead were from mainland China and two from Hong Kong.
—CNN Money, 11 June 2026
In the dead of night, the earth beneath Southern California buckled, shaking millions of people, damaging or destroying hundreds of buildings, breaking the California Aqueduct and sending more than a billion gallons of water flooding into an ancient desert lake bed.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
The medical examiner’s role, spelled out in Florida statute, requires the dead be identified, injuries and wounds be documented and cause and manner of death be determined.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the dead
Cite this Entry
“The dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20dead. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
