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
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Cohen, who lost her own son to suicide years ago, is part of an NGO that supports bereaved parents – a group that, before October 7, used to meet regularly in the same plaza.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Adjective
The stakes just keep getting higher in this Grand Guignol of bloodthirsty excess, as bereaved government agent Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun) descends into shocking depravity in his pursuit of serial killer Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik).
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Cohen, who lost her own son to suicide years ago, is part of an NGO that supports bereaved parents – a group that, before October 7, used to meet regularly in the same plaza.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Jeremy Irvine plays the beleaguered, bereaved Henry.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereaved
Verb
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On the other hand, more modest, consistent daily calorie counting might not leave you feeling as deprived.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Islamic Republic has made Iran a pariah and deprived its people — and for what?—
The Wall Street Journal,
Twin Cities,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In movies like Sátántangó, Werckmeister Harmonies, and his extraordinary swan song, 2011’s The Turin Horse, the Hungarian filmmaker crafted dreamlike narratives populated with disillusioned, spiritually bereft characters facing harsh realities.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
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Families physically pulled apart by uncaring hands over the outraged screams of the bereft?—
Leonard Pitts Jr,
Miami Herald,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That’s a similar provision to one that was hotly debated in a transgender rights bill that was passed last year after the provision was stripped out.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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Questions centered on whether Avedon’s use of a stark white background stripped these real people of their deserved context, and flattened them into objects or characters to be consumed by the elite.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
Cite this Entry
“Bereaved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereaved. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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