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Definitions

bereaved

[bih-reevd] / bɪˈrivd /
ADJECTIVE
bereft
Synonyms
WEAK
beggared cut off deprived destitute devoid dispossessed divested fleeced impoverished left without minus naked parted from robbed shorn stripped wanting without
Antonyms
WEAK
full happy
ADJECTIVE
sad
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depressed heartbroken melancholy mournful pessimistic somber sorrowful sorry unhappy
STRONG
blue cheerless dejected despairing despondent disconsolate distressed doleful down downcast forlorn gloomy glum grief-stricken grieved heartsick heavy-hearted hurting inconsolable low low-spirited morose pensive wistful
WEAK
bitter down in dumps down in the mouth in doldrums in grief in the dumps languishing lugubrious morbid out of sorts sick at heart troubled weeping woebegone
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful glad happy hopeful joyful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I understand every grubby, rotten impulse of the bereaved.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

It is an emotion that is doused over the closely bereaved, over and over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

So I’m not the same bereaved mother from September, January, Passover or yesterday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Helen and Lee said it was a "fatally flawed position" to rely on people knowing signs and symptoms, adding the "onus shouldn't be on bereaved parents" to raise awareness about MenB.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

There was nobody to do it except Uncle O. V., and he was the bereaved too.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Vocabulary lists containing bereaved

Born a Crime

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Beowulf vocabulary

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