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

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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

Carell departed The Office in 2011 and went on to appear in a number of acclaimed films, including Foxcatcher, The Big Short, Vice (2018), and Asteroid City (2023). — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 Guzman is leaving the Johnson administration just a week after his acting chief financial officer, Steven Mahr, departed after only eight months on the job, leaving two of the mayor's top three financial adviser posts without a permanent leader. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for departed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed

Adjective

Visitors are taken back in time to imagine how this now extinct creature — three times the size of a modern-day great white shark — used to swim right over the National Mall.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
The team says the molecular analysis indicates that the strains existed in a now-extinct variola virus lineage that bridges Old World European strains with its later variants.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Definition of extinct

Adjective

Blizzard explains that wild oyster mushrooms can be found on either fallen or dead trees, unlike other mushroom species that prefer live trees.

— Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
In July, the Pentagon completed a monthslong review of the incident, and Army leaders briefed families of the fallen soldiers on their findings.

— Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of fallen

Verb

The two crew members — one Greek and one Danish national — died when their helicopter collided with another near the seaside area of Psatha while tackling the fire that started Friday morning.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator later determined the newborn died by homicide, finding that the child died from entrapment after being placed and tied inside a plastic trash bag beneath bloody paper towels and other garbage.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of died

Adjective

The State Ethics Commission on Monday overruled an administrative law judge who found that two Republican groups with ties to the defunct First Liberty Building & Loan did not violate campaign finance laws.

— David Wickert, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
And a defunct SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of defunct

Adjective

Fire personnel found two deceased bodies inside the home, Canyon County spokesperson Joe Decker told the Idaho Statesman.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 3 Aug. 2026
The 1967 drama is about estranged brothers who are forced to deal with each other while haggling over the sale of their recently deceased father’s furniture to a dealer.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceased

Verb

The nation had just lost 18 of its most promising skaters, while 16 others, including family members, officials, judges and coaches – including Fleming’s own coach, Bill Kipp – all perished in the crash.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Spencer Long, his wife and three sons perished while on a hiking trip.

— Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of perished

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“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of departed

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