BEREFT Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

bereft

adjective

bi-ˈreft

Definition of bereft

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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as in devoid

utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected a cheap motel completely bereft of all amenities

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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 Contributors have since raised over $120,000 of its $140,000 goal for the bereft family. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 My preference is Hunter Goodman for three pitchers for the pitching-bereft Rockies. — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Sure, Sorsby was an integral part of their plans this upcoming season, but the Red Raiders won't exactly be bereft of talent in 2026. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 Her husband died last year, leaving her bereft and with a new level of financial instability. — Megan Greenwell, Bloomberg, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bereft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft

Adjective

Since May, health workers and burial teams such as Adolphe's have been attacked by bereaved families across the front line of the outbreak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Scientists are beginning to study the ways that exercise can help bereaved people navigate loss.

— Maggie Penman, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bereaved

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

Definition of weeping

Adjective

But when an oblong ball hits the turf, there’s often an equal chance the other team will recover, so Harbaugh was predictably unhappy with his team’s four fumbles against Dallas.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
There's also the daunting task of keeping young conservatives engaged at a time when many of them are unhappy with party leaders.

— Elena Moore, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

The show, which follows a widowed father of three who learns to find love again while balancing parenting, was quietly canceled by Prime Video earlier this week, according to Deadline.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Paromita, a widowed teacher, conceals her loneliness behind the cover of duty and routine, while Shefali, a working wife, hides her bruises beneath concealer and silence.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026

Definition of widowed

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bereaving

bereft

beret

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“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bereft

adjective

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