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
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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
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Recent Examples of bereft
Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said they were bereft by the news.
—
Christopher Weber, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
The attack left Australia's Jewish community bereft and traumatized.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Still bereft and furious, Aggie is trying to get on with her job, at least, while living alone in a big, dilapidated house with only a little white dog named Steve for company.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025
Gone are the days when players left academies ill-equipped for a world outside of the game, bruised and bereft.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Christopher Weber, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
The attack left Australia's Jewish community bereft and traumatized.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Still bereft and furious, Aggie is trying to get on with her job, at least, while living alone in a big, dilapidated house with only a little white dog named Steve for company.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025
Gone are the days when players left academies ill-equipped for a world outside of the game, bruised and bereft.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft
Adjective
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For weeks, the courtroom has been filled with bereaved parents holding framed photos of their children who died after encountering harm on social media.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
18 Feb. 2026
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Once again, bereaved parents are sitting in the courtroom audience.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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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
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Incensed, Oseguera plotted revenge in 2009 and 2010 with others who were unhappy with Milenio’s new leadership and spearheaded a deadly coup.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
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Last summer, the city also confirmed that since Crow Tow took over vehicle releases from the Police Department, no appeals hearings had been held for anyone unhappy with impounding or the prices the company charges.—
Lee Rood,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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