departed 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpär-təd How to pronounce departed (audio)
Definition of departednext
1
as in extinct
no longer existing a few crumbling ruins are all that remain of that departed civilization

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fallen
no longer living our dear departed friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

departed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of depart
1
as in exited
to leave a place often for another I'll sing one more song before I depart

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2
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
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
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
  1. extinct
  2. exited
  3. died
  4. defunct
  5. deceased
  6. perished
  7. dead
  8. went
Adjective
  • Colossal said its woolly mouse would enable its scientists to test hypotheses about the link between specific DNA sequences and physical traits that enabled the mammoth, which went extinct around 4,000 years ago, to adapt to life in cold climates.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Research shows that some extinct types of crocodiles were herbivorous.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of extinct
Verb
  • Spurgeon sustained an injury during the play and exited the game.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
  • On May 7, 1970, David exited his platoon's defense perimeter and repeatedly drew attention toward himself after an initial enemy assault that mortally wounded his platoon leader and several other service members, according to the Army.
    — Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of exited
Verb
  • After a lifetime of making people laugh, Newhart died on July 18 at his home in Los Angeles.
    — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Adams Earley died in 2002 at age 83 in Dayton.
    — Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of died
Adjective
  • Previously, White Sox games were televised on the now defunct NBC SportsNet Chicago.
    — Brad Adgate, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • In Georgia she got involved with a legendary, now defunct community health food store, Life’s Essentials, and several schools that promoted racial pride, good health, and collaboration.
    — Cynthia R. Greenlee, Bon Appétit, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of defunct
Adjective
  • The Skelton boys — Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 — were legally declared deceased by a Lenawee County judge on Wednesday, March 5, the Associated Press reported.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Synopsis: Pierre, a young man who lives in Paris with his father, travels to his native Tunisia in search of his early childhood and distant memories, including that of his long-since- deceased mother.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of deceased
Verb
  • Of the 181 people onboard, 179 perished.
    — Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Most of the animals that perished were small birds, according to officials.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of perished
Adjective
  • The Windermere man and a passenger in the BMW M2, a 23-year-old woman from Orlando, were transported to Orlando Health Dr. Phillips Hospital and were later pronounced dead.
    — Elainie Barraza, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Morgan and his three passengers, Ashley Nicole Caviness, 14; Danielle Nicole White, 13; and Brady Frizzell, 14, all of Humphrey, were pronounced dead at the scene.
    — The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of dead
Verb
  • Bluey has been beloved family viewing since 2018, but the Australian animation went stratospheric this year.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Netflix's livestreams haven't always been smooth sailing The streaming giant has had its fair share of livestreaming experiences that went well, including the live roast of legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
    — Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of went

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Cite this Entry

“Departed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/departed. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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