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
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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
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Recent Examples of demise
Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
This is not to emphasize the sadness of my demise, but rather to emphasize the love of my family and friends.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 15 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
The Eagles’ offensive struggles this season — the deficiencies that ultimately sealed their demise in front of 69,879 grumpy fans at The Linc on Sunday — weren’t just a product of Patullo’s game planning and play calling.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
This is not to emphasize the sadness of my demise, but rather to emphasize the love of my family and friends.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 15 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
-
Lopez Lyman speaks about the January 7 death of Renee Nicole Good, a white woman and legal observer who was shot and killed by an ICE officer, and compares the current situation to the time following police officer Derek Chauvin’s murder of George Floyd in 2020.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The Dodgers’ latest mega-millions acquisition that set off another round of dire forecasts of the death of competitive balance was made official on Wednesday with Kyle Tucker introduced at Dodger Stadium.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even if there were issues with her mortgage, Cook’s lawyers argue that still would not justify her firing, because she was not given proper due process to challenge her termination, and her personal mortgage application does not constitute professional misconduct.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Some can receive slightly more on top of the flat fee — such as hourly pay for trial or home visits, better pay for termination of parental rights matters, and a higher flat rate for nonprofit firms.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From Friday evening to Saturday afternoon, the Norman station predicts that the majority of the downfall will include snow ice accumulations.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Dote catered to a younger YouTube-era audience, offering popular lifestyle creators, including Emma Chamberlain, Olivia Jade and Hannah Meloche, ongoing, age-appropriate versions of the Trippin’ treatment, before a controversial Coachella trip in 2019 ultimately led to the brand’s downfall.—
Dahvi Shira,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Vince Gill, the country star who joined the band after original member Glenn Frey died in 2016, shouldered most of the load caused by Walsh’s absence.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The co-worker said Pretti researched how to prevent veterans from dying from colon cancer.—
Jeff Winter,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Because Thalia now holds the fate of Olympus in her hands, and she's got an extremely understandable incentive to seek revenge against Zeus and the rest of the gods.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The same fate befalls the HAKOS Astro Guest Farm, a remote mountainous escape for amateur astronomers.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While later albums such as 1979’s The Long Run also ascended to the platinum sales plateau before the group’s temporary dissolution in 1980, the content of Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) and Hotel California provides the foundation on which the Eagles’ long-term success has been built.—
Prof. Mike Alleyne Ph.D,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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His announcement shocked the global media—and would play a pivotal role in the dissolution of Harry’s relationship with his family, which would culminate in Meghan and Harry’s 2020 decision to step back from senior royal duties and move to North America.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After the storm rolls through, the arctic air will push south into Florida with a big cool-down headed to South Florida starting Tuesday and lasting through next weekend.—
Scott Withers,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Throughout these ups and downs, thousands of people have tuned into the nest livestream, which has become a powerful tool to educate the public about the precarious life of bald eagles, which are endangered in California.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The cold air is then expected to stay in place through the beginning of February, ensuring that whatever snow falls this weekend will stay on the ground for a while.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Only one other player has been ever elected by the writers with 1,500 or fewer hits — Roy Campanella (1,422) in 1969 — and that total falls far short of the average career hit mark for all Hall of Fame batters, which is 2,330.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demise. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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