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

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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

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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

Nearly two weeks have passed since the 26-year-old winger departed Ottawa, making himself at home in South Florida with the Panthers — and his brother Matthew — through a trade request and subsequent blockbuster deal. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 7 July 2026 The Netherlands team departed Kansas City early Wednesday, after losing their Round of 32 match, and Algeria officially left Lawrence, even though the team has yet to play its knockout match. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for departed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed

Adjective

Tasmanian tigers, otherwise known as thylacines, have been extinct since 1936.

— Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Some of the species went extinct during the many decades covered by the data.

— Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of extinct

Adjective

The 55-story, 2 million square foot building with more than an acre of outdoor terraces and gardens is the last commercial development in the footprint of the fallen twin towers of the World Trade Center.

— Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 July 2026
But fallen ash still poses major health risks if ingested or inhaled.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of fallen

Verb

Germany hasn’t won a knockout match since hoisting the trophy in 2014 and exited here against Paraguay in a penalty shootout.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Right-hander Brayan Bello is an option to fill in for the All-Star southpaw, who exited his Sunday start in Anaheim with an adductor strain.

— Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026

Definition of exited

Adjective

Separately, at least 15 informal miners were killed when a defunct gold mine partly collapsed Monday in the district of Wadi Halfa, close to Sudan’s border with Egypt, authorities said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
She was also involved in negotiating plans pitched by developer Eastside Innovation to replace the former site of the defunct Indian Springs Mall.

— Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Definition of defunct

Adjective

Canonization is the process through which a deceased individual may become a saint, or is confirmed through an extensive research process to be in heaven.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
Jose was declared deceased at the scene while Samantha was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of deceased

Verb

While the crown prince managed to free himself from the dragon before sinking, Triarchy crossbowmen peppered him from a nearby ship, and both dragon and rider perished.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Known as the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act — named for the 25 girls and two teenage counselors who perished at Mystic last year — it was signed into law in Texas in September.

— Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of perished

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“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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