1
as in deceased
no longer living
I inherited this heirloom from my dead great-grandfather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slow
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation
the store is often dead after 4:00 p.m.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
a long day of traveling left them just dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
there was a dead silence following that incredibly moving performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
my foot was dead after I absentmindedly sat on it for an hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in extinct
no longer existing
the dead Babylonian culture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
local coal mines that have been dead for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in deadly
of, relating to, or suggestive of death
fell into a dead faint upon hearing the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in barren
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
the dead wastes of the far country to the west
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in straight
in a direct line or course
the finish line is dead ahead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in completely
to a full extent or degree
I'm dead certain that's the one I want
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in death
the state of being dead
it's impossible to raise someone from the dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Hunter Geisel, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
The storm left more than 60 people dead in Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Consumer Reports, however, ranked them dead last in a list of most reliable automakers.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead
Adjective
Two people are dead and two were hospitalized with serious injuries after an overnight wrong-way crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Miami-Dade County caused another traffic accident early Sunday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
—Hunter Geisel, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
The storm left more than 60 people dead in Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
At the time, Kelly said, businesses refused to sell to a woman, but Mary was dead-set on doing it herself.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Consumer Reports, however, ranked them dead last in a list of most reliable automakers.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
It was built to honor the Confederate dead of Chowan County.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead
Adjective
-
The latest transfer comes after Hamas handed over the bodies of three deceased hostages on Sunday.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a greater need for organs than are available from deceased donors.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Tiles also exhibited hysteresis, which was smaller at slower speeds due to the rubber’s viscoelastic properties, as reported by Nanowerk.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Levi, an electrical engineer who founded MicroKits in 2020, has had to raise prices, slow production and pause plans to launch a new product – Banan-a-Synth – that lets kids turn a bunch of bananas into a kind of keyboard.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Stein conducted experiments under James’s supervision, but quickly tired of studying her subjects’ responses and preferred talking with them and tracking their characters.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Following a few months of absolute chaos, as Nuno Espirito Santo talked himself out of a job and was replaced by Ange Postecoglou — a man with a footballing ethos that could not have been more different — Dyche is very much needed, as a steady hand on the tiller.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But honestly, the last three months of rehearsals, getting to know each other, have been an absolute joy for everyone involved.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For one, Chicago is getting numb to seeing its erstwhile heroes in another city’s colors by now.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Fans are numb to these sorts of stories.—
Mac Engel
October 23,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, the cushaw, a delicate squash found in the Southern and Southwestern parts of the country, is at risk of going extinct.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
What other extinct species are on your list to revive in the future?—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To help your plants establish, make sure to get potted raspberries in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected, or choose bare root canes, which are dormant and can be planted even later in the season, as long as the ground isn't frozen.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Someone’s words could catch you off guard, or perhaps awaken a part of you that’s been dormant.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over time, this computer becomes a deadly antagonist of the astronauts on the ship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said before the Monday celebration that after a difficult year, which included deadly wildfires, Los Angeles deserves something positive.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share