the departed
noun
: people who have died
They left flowers at the graves of the departed.
the spirits of the departed
Examples of the departed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s where Chávez’s Ariana came into the mix, as the wife of one of the departed.
—
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025
The offerings are often arranged on altars, or in the case of the cemetery, on grave markers, which are traditionally decorated with bright orange marigolds, symbolizing the beauty and fragility of life, as well as photos, memorabilia and favorite foods and drinks of the departed.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Families build altars, called ofrendas, with photos, food, and marigolds to welcome the spirits of the departed.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 1 Nov. 2025
The centuries-old holiday, rooted in Indigenous customs, welcomes the souls of the departed back to the world of the living through offerings of food, music, and art.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
And since all the food and drink can’t literally be enjoyed by the departed, the living happily parktake.
—Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025
Olson recalled one family requesting that the departed, a creamery owner, be deposited in an ice cream carton.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
The list of the departed in 2025 includes the following:
Brad Marchand.
—Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
But recently, too many of the departed have been fellow cops.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
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Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025
The offerings are often arranged on altars, or in the case of the cemetery, on grave markers, which are traditionally decorated with bright orange marigolds, symbolizing the beauty and fragility of life, as well as photos, memorabilia and favorite foods and drinks of the departed.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Families build altars, called ofrendas, with photos, food, and marigolds to welcome the spirits of the departed.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 1 Nov. 2025
The centuries-old holiday, rooted in Indigenous customs, welcomes the souls of the departed back to the world of the living through offerings of food, music, and art.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
And since all the food and drink can’t literally be enjoyed by the departed, the living happily parktake.
—Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025
Olson recalled one family requesting that the departed, a creamery owner, be deposited in an ice cream carton.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
The list of the departed in 2025 includes the following:
Brad Marchand.
—Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
But recently, too many of the departed have been fellow cops.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“The departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20departed. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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