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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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

Jeffrey Springs worked 5 2/3 innings for the A's and departed with a 5-2 lead. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Wall Street banks, including BlackRock, departed the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in droves, leading it to cease operations. — Olivia Raimonde, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for departed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed

Adjective

This history means Yellowstone is considered active rather than extinct.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
According to Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, the world’s largest workspace provider, commuting could be extinct within the next 15 years.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of extinct

Adjective

Kneeling beside the fallen buck, Charles, an avid trophy bowhunter, ran his hands over the gigantic rack.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
The rules ban all plants within a foot of the home and require the first five feet around homes to be free of combustible materials such as firewood, fallen leaves and branches, and mulch or wood chips.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of fallen

Adjective

Summary Google has acquired a vast trove of real-world data from the defunct Spirit Airlines for $10 million, a strategic move to train its AI models without legal repercussions.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Intrigued by her inclusion in a 2020 group show held by the now-defunct JTT gallery, Pagliarulo decided to write her.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of defunct

Adjective

The bottom line Creditors may ultimately be paid from the value of a deceased person's home in certain circumstances, and an estate may need to sell the property if there aren't enough other assets to satisfy valid claims.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
The ring features a gradient of pink diamonds going down the band, and both of their deceased parents’ birthstones sit alongside theirs—one on each side.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceased

Verb

Nashville then moved two goals clear in the 56th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a pass across toward the near post and Surridge converted nonchalantly with a beautiful heel flick.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Olivia Colman’s first standout work that moved her from sketch comedy to dramatic feature film was Paddy Considine’s Tyrannosaur.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of moved

Verb

Officials did not immediately release the names of those who perished, but Lenore Bangura told ABC Toledo affiliate station WTVG that her mother, Mary Allen, was killed in the explosion.

— Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Before the service began, a worshiper read aloud the names of some 200 parishioners who perished.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of perished

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“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of departed

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