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

But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Jutca has served as interim director since March after former director Erin Dalton departed to lead New York City's Department of Social Services. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for departed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed

Adjective

As a paleontologist, Georgalis studies modern snakes to understand the fragmented fossil remains of ancient extinct ones.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Other travel advisors agree that summer travel is not going extinct, but have indeed noticed shifts in terms of where—and when—people are going.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of extinct

Adjective

The fallen autumn leaves can be left in the garden to serve as a carbon-rich winter cover that suppresses weeds just as effectively as wood bark mulch.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
There are games on four different days in Week 1, including a Super Bowl rematch, the debut of the new Super Team and a fallen dynasty in search of reclamation.

— J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of fallen

Verb

That was enough for Misiorowski, who exited after throwing 82 pitches — 43 at 100 mph or more — to strengthen his grasp on his first Cy Young Award.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Jackson Hospital exited Chapter 11 this week after reaching a four-year agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of exited

Verb

On September 9, the Prince of Wales will represent the British royal family at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway, who died at 89 years old on August 28.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 6 Sep. 2026
Dotson was taken to a hospital and died about nine hours after he was shot.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of died

Adjective

The defunct Amtrak line, which ran more than 2,600 miles between Seattle and Chicago, ferried passengers to stops in Boise, Pocatello and Salt Lake City, winding along tracks that still carve through Idaho’s Snake River Plain today.

— Rose Evans September 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2026
Save the Sound has been leading efforts to demolish some of the state’s defunct and abandoned dams.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of defunct

Adjective

Brain donations from deceased football players have risen in recent years, prompting researchers to take a fresh look at the risk and extent of CTE with respect to dementia diagnoses.

— Mike McRae September 15, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026
Ploger's parents -- his father is retired and his mother, Marguerite, is deceased -- were originally from Owosso.

— Sheryl Lee, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of deceased

Verb

Michigan was 80 yards from the end zone with 10 seconds remaining and hadn’t moved the ball at all since its first drive.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Had moved from my very small town in northern Va to the big city of Richmond to begin my new career as a management trainee with a local bank at the princely sum of $11,000 per year at age 22.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of moved

Verb

Not just the 2,977 deaths of innocent, often brave people — the workers trapped in the towers, the first responders who perished in an attempt to rescue them, the passengers aboard United Flight 93 who fought back against the hijackers.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Timothy Stackpole, who perished while trying to rescue others at the World Trade Center, to stand and accept applause from the crowd.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of perished

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

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Synonyms of departed

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verb

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