departed 1 of 2

departed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of depart
1
2

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
These spirits not only provide a thoughtful toast to the departed but also serve as a reminder of Mexico’s deep traditions and reverence for the past. Rachel King, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Joining the core trio of Corgan, Iha and Chamberlin were bassist Jack Bates and guitarist Kiki Wong, who famously won the post from the departed Jeff Schroeder after a public casting call of more than 10,000. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024
Verb
In San Francisco, London Breed departed as an unpopular figure, and the current mayor (Lurie) is far too new to run for higher office. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 That figure doesn’t include an even sharper increase in immigrants who voluntarily departed. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for departed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed
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
  • The researchers found the pathogens — Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis, bacteria that cause paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, respectively — by analyzing teeth from the fallen soldiers who were found in a mass grave uncovered in 2001 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Carruth often begins with a small image, such as a fallen pearl or a misplaced wand, and lets the story unspool from emotion.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His departure comes as Michael Michele, one of the series’ leads, exited late last week, as Deadline revealed exclusively.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
  • When Holliday exited in 1980 for her own comedy, Ladd was brought in as Belle Dupree, a tough-as-nails waitress once romantically linked to diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback).
    Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Officials said most people died from drowning as the storm triggered flash floods and caused rivers to swell above their danger levels.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • My grandmother, on the other hand, lived for another 25 years after her husband died—which meant my relationship with her extended well into my 30s.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition, the now-defunct Delta subsidiary, Song Airlines, tapped Kate and Andy Spade to design some of its uniforms from 2004 to 2006.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The attraction, which reached heights of 96 feet and speeds up to 45 mph, came from the defunct Paragon Park in Massachusetts.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Verb
  • On an 0-2 pitch, Roberts moved the infield back to double play depth.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The depth chart got even thinner when Jaishawn Barham, who moved back to inside linebacker after playing on the edge in recent weeks, left the game in the first quarter with an injury.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • At least 81 of the 1,415 rivers that flow through Bangladesh have either perished or are on the brink of extinction, according to a recent report.
    Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
  • As biologists began to accept that the smallest of the whales had perished, the rescue work dragged past its second week.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on departed

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!