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
In a season with only 11 musicals and otherwise bereft of serious scores, that was, to say the least, unfortunate.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Observing tips The lunar disk is entirely bereft of shadows during the full moon phase, making this the perfect time to trace the outline of lunar maria — where lava flows filled colossal impact basins billions of years ago before hardening to form sweeping basaltic plains.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
Former candidates Two current Jackson County leaders briefly campaigned for a full-time seat as county executive before exiting the race in recent days, leaving a field bereft of current legislators.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
There had been one ceremony after another for the Kings’ all-time leading scorer, but Anže Kopitar’s farewell game was largely bereft of pomp, circumstance and, for his squad, offense.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Observing tips The lunar disk is entirely bereft of shadows during the full moon phase, making this the perfect time to trace the outline of lunar maria — where lava flows filled colossal impact basins billions of years ago before hardening to form sweeping basaltic plains.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
Former candidates Two current Jackson County leaders briefly campaigned for a full-time seat as county executive before exiting the race in recent days, leaving a field bereft of current legislators.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
There had been one ceremony after another for the Kings’ all-time leading scorer, but Anže Kopitar’s farewell game was largely bereft of pomp, circumstance and, for his squad, offense.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft
Adjective
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School Board leadership said Monday that the policy was formed with the help of bereaved mothers, mental health experts and high school principals.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
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Carie Hallford was the public face of Return to Nature, dealing with bereaved customers at the couple's funeral home in Colorado Springs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The dirt road leading to Bust’n B Ranch in Pioneertown, is long, narrow, and isolated, devoid of streetlights and rarely another car in sight.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
28 May 2026
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These blunders were a tragicomedy—a circus act entirely devoid of peanuts or joy.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
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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What’s leaving one unhappy child at home compared to sending five hundred people home from the theatre happy?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Shohei Ohtani almost became the most unhappy pitcher to ever be part of throwing a no-hitter.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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The main character is an introverted English teacher named Richard Garay, who lives a very quiet and small life, in the shadow of his widowed mother.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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