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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Flores, bereft and angry, rejected the settlement offered by Oates’ insurance company and filed a wrongful death suit against the developer. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 But the erstwhile nightlife entrepreneur hasn’t been emotionally bereft throughout his legal ordeal. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 Somehow the small exchange had left me unaccountably frazzled, almost bereft. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Marzetti discontinued the rolls in 2021, leaving behind a bereft public. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bereft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft

Adjective

At noon, bereaved families and civil grassroot protest groups held a national minute of reflection, joined by various public hospitals, local municipalities, universities and private businesses.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
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

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

Many of the women in the packed courtroom gallery appeared unhappy when the sentences were rendered.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Andy’s view Almost 14 years into Xi Jinping’s norm-busting reign, just about everybody is unhappy with his economy.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

The Syrian woman was a widowed mother of four who had been living in Saudi Arabia for five years, a relative told The Associated Press.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
The Syrian woman was a widowed mother of four who had been living in Saudi Arabia for five years, relative Nisreen Oweida told the Associated Press.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bereft

adjective

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