deceased 1 of 3

deceased

2 of 3

noun

deceased

3 of 3

verb

past tense of decease

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective deceased contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deceased are dead, defunct, departed, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

Where would dead be a reasonable alternative to deceased?

While in some cases nearly identical to deceased, 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

When is defunct a more appropriate choice than deceased?

The meanings of defunct and deceased largely overlap; however, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

When could departed be used to replace deceased?

The words departed and deceased can be used in similar contexts, but departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When is it sensible to use late instead of deceased?

Although the words late and deceased have much in common, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

Examples 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 deceased
Adjective
That person is deceased, and again, this is an active investigation. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 10 Dec. 2024 All four officers are now deceased, Dellinger said. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
GEDMatch is one of the databases used by the DNA Doe project, a non-profit that works to name the deceased who remain unidentified. Crimesider Staff, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2018 See all Example Sentences for deceased 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceased
Adjective
  • After a long bout of gruff banter, Frank gets personal, invoking his dead son, Joseph.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
  • The Russell Wilson experiment in Denver was such a failure that he was eventually cut from the team, despite the financial ramifications: the Broncos incurred $85 million in dead salary over the 2024 and 2025 seasons by releasing Wilson, the largest dead cap hit in league history.
    Ben Morse, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Choosing a fiscal year can allow the executor to match income and expenses more logically and simplify the process of closing out the decedent’s final financial matters.
    Ashley Case, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Days after a human skull and bones washed ashore on a beach in Palos Verdes Estates, authorities are still trying to identify the decedent and the cause of death, officials said.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Mark Withers, the prolific TV actor with notable roles in series like Dynasty and Kaz, has died.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The poet and scholar, who died Monday at 81, was a gifted chronicler of the wonders and complexity of Black life—a talent buoyed by her warm, imaginative approach to both art and social change.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The navy hoped the corpses would disappear without a trace, but in at least 65 cases bodies washed onto beaches in Argentina and Uruguay.
    Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
  • However, its forces are made up of jihadist militants, who were shown on video committing a slew of atrocities, including beheadings and the desecration of corpses during their lightning offensive that led to Assad’s collapse.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • After all, Juliette only discovers the place after everyone has perished on the ground outside.
    Mark Blankenship, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Moira is the sister of Tessa (played by actress Madison Wolf), a witch who perished during the penultimate episode of the first season.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Giants aren’t expected to announce it until late Sunday or Monday.
    Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Actually, in a sense, everything points back to the Newcastle Theatre Royal when Peter Sarah, its late general manager, took young Harrison under his wing and introduced him to London producer David Pugh who, at the time was producing Art with Albert Finney.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • President Bashar al-Assad, and his late father and predecessor, Hafez, were omnipresent forces, glaring down from the many billboards, posters, and statues that were felled this week with all the exuberance, rage, and grief of the long-oppressed.
    Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
  • It was even enlarged to incorporate two massive, historic elm trees that would have been felled to accommodate the structure otherwise.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024
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

Thesaurus Entries Near deceased

Cite this Entry

“Deceased.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceased. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on deceased

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