Definition of bereavednext
as in grieving
suffering the death of a loved one the grief of the bereaved parents seemed to be without limit

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bereaved

2 of 2

verb

variants or bereft
past tense of bereave
as in deprived
to take something away from news of a death in the family bereaved them of the unmitigated joy that normally prevails at a wedding

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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 bereaved
Adjective
Challenges for caregivers and schools A single death can force a bereaved family to navigate multiple intersecting losses. Keisha M. Wint, The Conversation, 23 June 2026 School Board leadership said Monday that the policy was formed with the help of bereaved mothers, mental health experts and high school principals. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Verb
Minutes after jurors delivered a multimillion-dollar verdict at the landmark social media addiction trial in Los Angeles last week, bereaved parents and supporters celebrating the victory over Big Tech faced tough questions about what comes next. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2026 Things culminate in a fatal accident in Florida, where the bereaved hold Tesla accountable via a lawsuit. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bereaved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereaved
Adjective
  • But the erstwhile nightlife entrepreneur hasn’t been emotionally bereft throughout his legal ordeal.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Somehow the small exchange had left me unaccountably frazzled, almost bereft.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Maxwell, 64, filed the habeas corpus petition in December 2025, asking the court to vacate her sentence, claiming a number of constitutional and legal errors had deprived her of a fair trial.
    Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even if they are deprived testosterone by their transition, that’s only part of the story.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The show, which follows a widowed father of three who learns to find love again while balancing parenting, was quietly canceled by Prime Video earlier this week, according to Deadline.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • Paromita, a widowed teacher, conceals her loneliness behind the cover of duty and routine, while Shefali, a working wife, hides her bruises beneath concealer and silence.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • After Winston completed a 15-yard pass to Braxton Berrios, McCrary-Ball stripped the receiver, and Stiggers recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchback.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The building went through an even bigger transformation in 2018, when the interior was stripped down to the studs and completely remodeled, Lange said.
    Evan Moore August 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bereaved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereaved. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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