as in grieving
suffering the death of a loved one
the grief of the bereaved parents seemed to be without limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
or bereft
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
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Recent Examples of bereaved
Linda Stein, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
In the first three stories, Lilian, as a bereaved mother, goes through life in an altered state, with encounters that increase her sense of introspection.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
But there would inevitably be some who insisted that the bereaved also join in the singing.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Adjective
Samantha Hogan has comforted more than 200 bereaved families.
—Linda Stein, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
In the first three stories, Lilian, as a bereaved mother, goes through life in an altered state, with encounters that increase her sense of introspection.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
Things culminate in a fatal accident in Florida, where the bereaved hold Tesla accountable via a lawsuit.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
But there would inevitably be some who insisted that the bereaved also join in the singing.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereaved
Verb
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The fall of Assad in December 2024 deprived Russia of its one reliable ally in the region.—
Jeffrey Taliaferro,
The Conversation,
11 Apr. 2026
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This criminal organization deprived them of that peace of mind.—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Paris fashion shows were bereft without her.—
Hamish Bowles,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
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Now the reality of losing Beryl to cancer in an NHS hospital overlooking Camden Town, opera floating down the halls at her request, left us all completely bereft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Goodwin grabbed the offensive rebound but was stripped by Matisse Thybulle to seal the win for the Blazers.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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In December 2024, the board stripped Freidenrich’s investment duties and then, in February 2025, delegated control of the investment fund to the chief financial officer, Kimberly Engelby.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Several conspiracy theories have emerged in the wake of the assassination, taking an emotional toll on the widowed mother of two.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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With Season 4 comes a potential new flame for the widowed Violet (Ruth Gemmell) in the form of one Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis).—
Emily Kelleher,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bereaved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereaved. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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