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

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adjective

di-ˈpär-təd

Definition of departed next

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

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departed

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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

Christian Yelich remains confident Milwaukee can continue to contend even without departed ace Corbin Burnes and manager Craig Counsell. —

Steve Megargee, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2024 The 57-year-old took over for the departed Greg Roman and instantly transformed the offense, deploying a spread attack, bringing an up-tempo pace and focusing on getting the ball out of Jackson’s hands quicker. —

Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2024

Verb

The Wave has been looking for a new permanent head coach since Casey Stoney departed midway through the 2024 season. —

Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 Josh Flagg also departed Elliman for Compass in March 2024. —

Bailey Richards, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for departed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed

Adjective

Panda haters often argue that the billions of dollars that are spent to prevent them from going extinct would be better allocated to saving more adaptable species.

— Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025
Colossal aims to revive the woolly mammoth species, which mainly went extinct 10,000 years ago (though some populations remained until 4,000 years ago), by creating a woolly mammoth calf that an elephant mother will then give birth to.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025