1
as in deaths
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 terminations
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 downfalls
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 dies
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 demises
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
But a good time in enviable vacation spots is guaranteed, with ghoulish demises for many principal figures here served up like caviar on sashimi.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
But a good time in enviable vacation spots is guaranteed, with ghoulish demises for many principal figures here served up like caviar on sashimi.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demises
Noun
-
In their statement, Shalom's owners told Public Investigator natural deaths are inevitable at any zoo.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Sheriff Dustin Lopez, who oversees the office’s Detention Services Bureau, said the higher numbers of deaths occurred before Martinez was sworn in as sheriff in early 2023.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since February 2023, the company has grown in Miami from 800 employees to about 2,000, even including the latest terminations.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
-
After a week of chaos and confusion, the fates of more than 600 CDC workers hang in the balance now that a federal judge has temporarily blocked their terminations.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Without Allen and his ability to stretch the field, the Bills' downfalls on defense would likely not have led to a 4-1 record.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Some of those mistakes eventually cause their downfalls.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Steven Spielberg saw the original cut of the film prior to its release in which Katie dies, and convinced Peli to reshoot the more ominous ending where Featherston simply goes missing.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
-
While some tests can provide hints that someone has the condition, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after a person dies and researchers can physically examine that person’s brain, Crary said.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Several other longtime Charlotte restaurants have closed in recent years, falling victim to retirements, redevelopments and other fates.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Eileen’s determination to face down the boys and be accepted for her full self or Hedda sneaking around and steering everyone’s fates behind the scenes?—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Blue Jays have also had to adjust their starting rotation on the fly as some harsh setbacks sprung up toward the end of the regular season.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Early on, each test had generally improved upon previous demonstrations until SpaceX hit some setbacks at the beginning of 2025 with a series of three failed tests ending in explosions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For now, the burden largely falls on defendants — many still deep in addiction, many who are homeless — to find and secure treatment on their own.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
As another once-promising season falls apart, this time stamped out in stunningly emphatic fashion, a conversation that had only begun to percolate is now steaming hot.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Two widows cashing out after their husband’s untimely and suspicious passings.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The recent, tragic passings of Benjamin Kelly, James Maldonado, Christian Collado, and now another man — all in one month — are not isolated incidents.—
Darren Mack,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demises. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share