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deathly

[deth-lee] / ˈdɛθ li /
ADJECTIVE
suggesting end of life
Synonyms
WEAK
appalling cadaverous corpselike deathlike defunctive dreadful gaunt ghastly grim gruesome haggard horrible macabre pale pallid wan wasted
Antonyms
WEAK
animated beginning benign blooming blossoming harmless healthful healthy life-giving lively strengthening
ADJECTIVE
fatal
Synonyms
WEAK
deadly extreme intense lethal mortal mortiferous noxious pestilent pestilential terrible
Antonyms
WEAK
animated beginning benign blooming blossoming harmless healthful healthy life-giving lively strengthening

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.

A lot of people are deathly afraid of losing all their money or changing their state, even changing their station in life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

The atmosphere among those who came to mourn the tragedy was deathly quiet.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

He could have been totally fine, or he could have gotten deathly ill.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2025

When Charlie Hopkins thinks back to the three years he spent in one of America's most famous prisons, he remembers the "deathly quiet" the most.

From BBC • May 10, 2025

All was so deathly quiet inside the red church that Meggie thought she could hear Basta breathing behind her.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

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