dead 1 of 3

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
as in doomed
facing certain defeat, disaster, or death if we don't finish this project on time, we're dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

10
11

dead

2 of 3

adverb

dead

3 of 3

noun

as in death
the state of being dead it's impossible to raise someone from the dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dead contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dead are deceased, defunct, departed, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life.

a dead, listless performance

How does the word deceased relate to other synonyms for dead?

Deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

When is it sensible to use defunct instead of dead?

The words defunct and dead are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

Where would departed be a reasonable alternative to dead?

The synonyms departed and dead are sometimes interchangeable, but departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When might late be a better fit than dead?

Although the words late and dead have much in common, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

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 dead
Adjective
Maybe next week, a bald eagle will fall dead out of the sky and splat right on the White House lawn. Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025 Perilous Voyages More than 5,100 Rohingya have taken boats to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh between January and early November this year, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency. Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adverb
At the time, Kelly said, businesses refused to sell to a woman, but Mary was dead-set on doing it herself. Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025 Consumer Reports, however, ranked them dead last in a list of most reliable automakers. Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
It was built to honor the Confederate dead of Chowan County. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead
Adjective
  • The latest transfer comes after Hamas handed over the bodies of three deceased hostages on Sunday.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a greater need for organs than are available from deceased donors.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
  • When visiting the exhibit, plan on taking your time to make the most of it, or what the American Federation of Arts calls slow looking.
    Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The first turned a fourth-quarter fumble into a 59-yard score when Achane burst through a tired, and seemingly defeated Buffalo defensive front and outsprinted the Bills’ entire secondary to the end zone.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
  • But that feels like a tired, outdated characterisation.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • And many of us, sadly, have been in a state of absolute despair while grieving someone, which is its own type of temporary insanity.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Bad news for Harbour—each track is an absolute earworm.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • For one, Chicago is getting numb to seeing its erstwhile heroes in another city’s colors by now.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Fans are numb to these sorts of stories.
    Mac Engel October 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, the cushaw, a delicate squash found in the Southern and Southwestern parts of the country, is at risk of going extinct.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
  • What other extinct species are on your list to revive in the future?
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To help your plants establish, make sure to get potted raspberries in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected, or choose bare root canes, which are dormant and can be planted even later in the season, as long as the ground isn't frozen.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Someone’s words could catch you off guard, or perhaps awaken a part of you that’s been dormant.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Over time, this computer becomes a deadly antagonist of the astronauts on the ship.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said before the Monday celebration that after a difficult year, which included deadly wildfires, Los Angeles deserves something positive.
    Steve Futterman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dead

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!