departed 1 of 2

Definition of departednext

departed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of depart
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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
That mirrors the likely total awaiting the 10 Pac-12 legacy schools now scattered across the Big 12, Big Ten and ACC. Of the departed contingent, only Arizona is a lock to make the NCAA Tournament field as an at-large team. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 Pritchard, who’d notched three straight 20-point outings since replacing the departed Anfernee Simons as Boston’s second-unit quarterback, had six points on 2-of-9 shooting and was a minus-27. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
An airline spokesperson said Flight 337 departed from Orlando with 187 passengers and six crew members onboard before the crew declared an emergency. Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 12 June 2026 The witness said a second sphere appeared before both objects departed silently. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for departed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed
Adjective
  • Conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans had not become extinct.
    George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
  • Since then, the editing capability of CRISPR has been tested on everything from developing disease treatments to engineering drought-resistant crops to resurrecting genes of extinct species.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • The air smelled of rich earth and fallen plums.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
  • The nonprofit organization supports families of fallen NYC first responders.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors said the woman exited the train, but Thorn followed her, groped her and forcibly kissed her before pulling down his pants and exposed himself to her.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 Dec. 2025
  • When Jones exited Sunday, rookie Riley Leonard took over, completing 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards with one interception and a rushing touchdown in the loss.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Refracted through the lens of the 2018 killing of one of Clemmons’s few Black peers in tony Swarthmore public schools, the essay reflects on the consequences of systemic disinvestment in Chester, the nearby majority-Black city where Robbie was born, taught, and died.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • The wink sealed the deal and the two spent more than 50 years as a couple, welcomed three children — Luke, Hannah, and Levi, who died in 2025 — and eventually grandchildren, who called him PoPo.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Pruner is an industry veteran locally, having been part of the inaugural team at Empress Tavern and worked at Obo’, Mulvaney’s B&L and the now-defunct Woodlake Tavern, among other places.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
  • The Justice Department subsequently appealed an earlier order by Eaton to make all businesses that paid the now-defunct import taxes eligible for refunds plus interest.
    Mae Anderson, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • While two adults were rescued from the home, they were later pronounced deceased.
    Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
  • The sacred room is where members of the church are baptized on behalf of their deceased ancestors.
    Jayne Yutig, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Williams then moved Anthony to her bed and threw water at him, waking him only for a brief moment.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
  • The Steelers, who moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC North with their 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens last week, are 7-6 and battling for a spot in the playoffs.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Late last year Haddon, 76, perished in an apparent carbon monoxide leak in her daughter and son-in-law’s Marc Blucas’ country home in Bucks County, Pa.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Dec. 2025
  • Forty passengers and crew perished when the jet crashed soon after.
    Joe Dwinell Boston Herald, Arkansas Online, 19 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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