departed 1 of 2

departed

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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
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
As of May, Siebers said, more than 1,700 nurses and at least 200 had already departed across the country. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025 However, Tucker departed the game after the sixth inning due to left calf tightness. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for departed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed
Adjective
  • Sharks, rays, and chimaeras are among the most threatened vertebrate groups on the planet, second only to amphibians; according to the IUCN Red List, 37% of these species are at risk of extinction (and one species is already extinct).
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Other extinct branches of the tree of life included Hawaiian honeyeater birds of the family Mohoidae and the Dinornithormes order which grouped giant flightless birds such as New Zealand’s moas.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Wolf spiders prefer dark hiding places like piles of leaves or fallen logs.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Whether a storm, fallen tree, or power grid problem is to blame, having to toss food as a result is a pain for some and a significant financial burden for others.
    Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As the two left the stage, Carey and Grande shared another hug and exited together.
    Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Jauan Jennings both exited Sunday's 17-13 season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks with hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively, and both didn't return.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • North’s longtime wife, Betsy, died late last November, soon after their 56th wedding anniversary.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • A student who authorities say opened fire at his Colorado high school, wounding two classmates and then turning the gun on himself, has died, according to the local sheriff's office.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Pundits have always dominated the ranks of posters on social media, but now the masses of silent followers are declining, and continued posting risks preaching to accounts of the converted, the disengaged, or the defunct.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Befriended by the aged proprietor of a now defunct Greek coast restaurant, the hen becomes an unwitting witness of human misery – greed, migrant trafficking, revenge upon revenge.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • When the gunfire ceased, additional resources were deployed to safely enter the residence, where Poulter was found deceased, police reported.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Those both come back around, as does another subplot about Alex (Jess McLeod), the estranged child of the recently deceased former sheriff who was not invited to the funeral, but comes home anyway.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Boise Pride moved the route from the heart of downtown to River Street, between South 13th and 9th streets.
    Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Fire crossed Dinkey Creek and moved north toward Oak Flat.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While the original pieces perished in a fire at Rohwer after the war, the replicas remain to give evidence of this student project that developed under her supervision.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Sadly, none of her citrus survived, and many of her cattle perished.
    Mandi Wright, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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