1
as in bereaved
suffering the death of a loved one
to one investigator, the bereft woman seemed to be taking the sudden death of her rich husband amazingly well
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected
a cheap motel completely bereft of all amenities
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 bereft
Ultimately, the result is a film left bereft, like Israel and Palestine themselves, with no easy conclusions or closure.
—
Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
When Sonny passed away suddenly, Yarbrough was bereft.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Trucks equipped with cannons and 50-caliber machine guns sit as bereft sentinels on street corners.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Outside the office, his outie is a bereft widower who chose to sever his mind just to get some emotional relief.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
When Sonny passed away suddenly, Yarbrough was bereft.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Trucks equipped with cannons and 50-caliber machine guns sit as bereft sentinels on street corners.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Outside the office, his outie is a bereft widower who chose to sever his mind just to get some emotional relief.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft
Adjective
-
There have been tasteless jokes and revelations, and lengthy impositions on the patience of even the most bereaved.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Some neighborhoods are blessed; others remain bereaved.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
-
Kraft had strong leads among some voting groups polled, the poll showed, including Republicans, voters who disapprove of Boston’s sanctuary city status, those unhappy with Boston’s quality of life, and those prioritizing government spending/taxes.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2025
-
Among those Americans unhappy with the cuts to the federal government, Musk has only a 6% approval rating, while 89% disapprove.—
Catherine Arnst,
Quartz,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share