DEPARTED Synonyms: 189 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'departed' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of departed are dead , deceased , defunct , and late . While all these words mean "devoid of life," departed is used usually as a euphemism. // our departed sister

Q: When is 'dead' a more appropriate choice than 'departed'?

While in some cases nearly identical to departed , 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

Q: How does the word 'deceased' relate to other synonyms for 'departed'?

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

Q: When might 'defunct' be a better fit than 'departed'?

The words defunct and departed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. // a defunct television series

Q: In what contexts can 'late' take the place of 'departed'?

In some situations, the words late and departed are roughly equivalent. However, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. // the company's late president

departed 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpär-təd

Definition of departed

as in extinct

no longer existing a few crumbling ruins are all that remain of that departed civilization

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fallen

no longer living our dear departed friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

departed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of depart

as in exited

to leave a place often for another I'll sing one more song before I depart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in died

to stop living a special tribute for those members of the motion picture academy who have departed over the past year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective departed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of departed are dead, deceased, defunct, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When is dead a more appropriate choice than departed?

While in some cases nearly identical to departed, 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 departed?

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 might defunct be a better fit than departed?

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

a defunct television series

In what contexts can late take the place of departed?

In some situations, the words late and departed are roughly equivalent. However, 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 departed

Adjective

Judaism approaches these moments with deep sensitivity, offering guidance not to judge or criticize, but to bring dignity, comfort, and peace—to the soul of the departed and to those left behind. — Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026

Verb

The aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. — Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026 The Stedelijk became mired in financial woes, in part brought about by an over-ambitious expansion plan, and Fuchs departed in 2003, embarking on a career as a teacher and writer. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for departed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed

Adjective

Her company Arcaea has raised $78 million and previously created the fragrance brand Future Society, which makes scents by sequencing the DNA of extinct flowers.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
The company has pursued efforts to recreate extinct species, including the dodo and woolly mammoth.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of extinct

Adjective

While Kyiv and Moscow have maintained limited contact to organize prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers, previous talks have made no progress on the security arrangements needed to sustain a peace deal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
When the men return from Sheriffmuir with the bodies of their fallen comrades, Colum has to grapple with his role in their deaths.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fallen

Verb

Kon Knueppel exited to the locker room just six minutes into his season debut Wednesday night.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026
With Hopkins’ appointment, Scott Miller, who previously served as WBD’s president of networks and streaming distribution, exited the company.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of exited

Verb

Juan Atkins, the originator of techno music and a founding member of the electronic music group Cybotron, has died at the age of 64.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Both victims were University of Colorado Boulder students, and the Boulder County Coroner's Office will release the identity of the victim who died, according to a news release from the city of Boulder.

— Eric Mack , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of died

Adjective

That concert left such an impression, followed by one at the now-defunct Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles, that Halperin relocated from New York to Los Angeles.

— Melinda Newman, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026
The firm, co-founded by lawyer David Boies, is known for representing victims of the late Jeffrey Epstein, as well as corporate clients including Amazon and the defunct health technology company Theranos.

— Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of defunct

Adjective

Rodriguez cut ads accusing Salazar of being cozy with deceased dictator Fidel Castro.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Beatification is a complex and profound act in the Roman Catholic Church that grants special distinction for deceased members of the faith.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of deceased

Verb

In the aftermath, Blue Origin has moved with uncharacteristic speed to repair its launch pad to get New Glenn flying again, while investing $3 billion in Florida facilities to support a much higher launch cadence.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026
Kelce also moved past Marvin Harrison and Cris Carter on the all-time receptions list.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of moved

Verb

Adding to the confusion, a young female pilot has since been reported to have perished in the crash.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
The Spanish Interior Ministry said in a statement Thursday that six more victims were added to the death toll overnight, bringing the total number of people who perished in the crash to 74.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of perished

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Style

“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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