bereaved 1 of 2

as in grieving
suffering the death of a loved one the grief of the bereaved parents seemed to be without limit

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bereaved

2 of 2

verb

variants or bereft
past tense of bereave
as in deprived
to take something away from news of a death in the family bereaved them of the unmitigated joy that normally prevails at a wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 bereaved
Adjective
Most articles and books prioritized reconciliation and bemoaned bereaved parents: Why would someone dare abandon their family? Anesce Dremen, Longreads, 3 July 2025 Lilian had become used to being the recipient of stories from bereaved parents. Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Verb
For example, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors provides peer support, specialized programs, and referrals tailored to bereaved military families and suicide survivors. Tom Chiodo, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 In June, the Times magazine reported on the burgeoning field of grief tech—the companies racing to develop digital representations of the dead which bereaved friends and family members can interact with. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereaved
Verb
  • Campbell told investigators he was stressed and sleep deprived and was trying to get the baby to stop crying, according to court documents.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Aug. 2025
  • But critics argued that the move was unlawful and deprived borrowers of their legal right to enroll in affordable repayment plans and pursue student loan forgiveness under IDR and PSLF, triggering a legal challenge.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Sony was left bereft in terms of having a summer tentpole to release because of delays related to the labor strikes, say insiders.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
  • When Iran was bereft before, finding another way forward took 15 years.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The film centers on a widowed fisherwoman, travelling alone through snowbound northern Minnesota, who interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bereaved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereaved. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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