departed 1 of 2

departed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of depart
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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
Harbaugh reiterated that the draft isn’t the only means by which the Ravens plan to fill the gaps left by departed starters Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2024 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
Verb
Several senior figures have also departed the FIA since Ben Sulayem took over as president at the end of 2021. Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 The 32-year-old had entered the final months of his previous deal and could have departed Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season but that possibility has been ruled out with the Egyptian signing a new two-year contract. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for departed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for departed
Adjective
  • Researchers believe there may have been a land bridge between the Caribbean and Central America that would have allowed the ants to move from the mainland to the islands, but eventually, the species went extinct.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Long assumed to be extinct in the Golden State, a lone gray wolf crossed over the border from Oregon in 2011, and by 2015, a pack was identified in Northern California’s Siskiyou County, researchers noted.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Norman Fell and Audra Lindley also exited one season earlier for failed spinoff The Ropers and was replaced by Don Knotts as Ralph Furley, the new landlord.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Mitchell exited the game against Mississippi State on Thursday with a knee injury, and Gates decided to sit him against the Gators.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • At the time, Colorado had recorded 25 cases, including seven infants who were stillborn or died within months of birth from complications of the infection, and Herlihy said that the state could have more than 100 cases if nothing changed.
    Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Nunn died in 2016 from leukemia at age 63.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Christopher Hoenig, a spokesperson for Jersey Central Power & Light, said that the power company de-energized high-voltage lines around the defunct Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant to protect the safety of firefighters in the area.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The shells are transported to a storage site in East Haven, a defunct quarry that’s high, dry and far enough from homes to avoid any odor issues.
    Jillian Freyer, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • She was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Police confirmed that a woman and a 12-year-old boy were found deceased — reportedly in a creek after multiple hours of searching.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Cline never released a duet or other collaboration, and the new album features nine, including one with Cowboy Copas, who perished in the plane crash with Cline (along with fellow Opry star Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cline’s manager, Randy Hughes).
    Nancy Kruh, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • At least two former Major League Baseball players also perished in the disaster.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That being said, the dream of NXT Europe isn't dead.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • At least 148 people were found dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a motorized wooden boat caught fire and capsized, media reports citing local officials said on Friday.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Bluey has been beloved family viewing since 2018, but the Australian animation went stratospheric this year.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Those bleak years devastated the American rail industry, as revenue fell by 50 percent from 1928 to 1933, and a third of the country’s railroads went into bankruptcy.
    Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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