1
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities
inherited all of the estate upon the sudden demise of his grandfather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in termination
the act of ceasing to exist
the gradual demise of the Roman Empire over the course of several centuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in downfall
a loss of status
after her demise as the doyenne of New York society, the mere mention of her name was regarded as a faux pas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to die
to stop living
our much beloved, recently demised leader
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 demise
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2026
To do that, DRACO's lead system engineer Alex Rosenbaum and his team are fitting the DRACO capsule with components in a range of different materials, each outfitted with sensors to measure its temperature and the time and altitude of its fiery demise.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022
Even the reports of the Suns’ demise that the Mavs created may be premature.
—Dallas News, 31 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for demise
Noun
All of Bed Bath & Beyond’s complaints have contended that the carriers compounded the retailer’s operational and financial distress throughout the pandemic as shelves went empty and costs soared, ultimately leading to the company’s demise.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2026
To do that, DRACO's lead system engineer Alex Rosenbaum and his team are fitting the DRACO capsule with components in a range of different materials, each outfitted with sensors to measure its temperature and the time and altitude of its fiery demise.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
According to James Sinclair, director of marine archaeology for the AllenX Maravillas project, the researchers are delving into the mystery of the ship’s demise by thoroughly mapping all of their finds.
—Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022
Even the reports of the Suns’ demise that the Mavs created may be premature.
—Dallas News, 31 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for demise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demise
Noun
-
Fuentes is facing one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sandoval had not been charged as of Thursday in the teen’s death, according to police.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Legal challenges may follow, in a similar vein to those which have prevented terminations for TPS holders from Venezuela and Haiti.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Automatic 5-year contract extensions, and four years' notice for contract termination.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The rise and fall of Urban Communities Outlier pieced together the events that led to Urban Communities’ downfall largely through court records and filings at the Wayne County Register of Deeds.—
Aaron Mondry,
Freep.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Demonstrators have been calling for the Iranian regime's downfall and systemic change as a first step to reclaiming freedom and dignity.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The driver of the car that was hit died at the scene, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In filing the suit, the city was following the lead of Norma Nazario, who, in 2024, sued TikTok and Meta for the wrongful death of her fifteen-year-old son, Zackery, who died surfing, claiming that algorithms encouraged her son to become addicted to the act.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Discussion over the fate of Medicaid expansion dominated the 2025 session.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Then there’s litigation and regulation that could drive the payout even higher — or lower — depending on fate of lawsuits and the red tape-making before state agencies that are drafting administrative rules.—
Pat Maio,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a member of the leading council, went on to aid President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's dissolution of the council, but later came to oppose the move as the rift between two men deepened.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Recovery already underway While the impacts of Melissa are still occurring, recovery is expected to be a greater challenge than usual this year with the dissolution of US AID.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Then, after Barnes had dragged Newcastle level and the home side had built up attacking pressure, Thiaw crumpled under a challenge from Calvert-Lewin inside his own box, stuck out an arm and handled Jaka Bijol’s nod-down.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two things happened on that blustery back-to-school morning that fell exactly a month after my eleventh birthday.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demise. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share