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
Families physically pulled apart by uncaring hands over the outraged screams of the bereft?
—
Leonard Pitts Jr, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Especially here—confused, bereft, and excommunicate.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The attack left Australia's Jewish community bereft and traumatized.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said the Reiners’ deaths left them bereft.
—Christopher Weber, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Leonard Pitts Jr, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Especially here—confused, bereft, and excommunicate.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The attack left Australia's Jewish community bereft and traumatized.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said the Reiners’ deaths left them bereft.
—Christopher Weber, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft
Adjective
-
Samantha Hogan has comforted more than 200 bereaved families.—
Linda Stein,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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Immediate relief is underway, including emergency grants, assistance for injured and bereaved families and expanded trauma and resilience services for children, seniors and other vulnerable populations.—
Audra Berg,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
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
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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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The post got 22,000 views, including from unhappy folks living next to data centers, but no helpful information.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Against this backdrop, the unhappy Angine shops compulsively in a department store and develops a fascination with a playful salesgirl.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 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 21 Mar. 2026.
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