deceased

1 of 2

adjective

de·​ceased di-ˈsēst How to pronounce deceased (audio)
Synonyms of deceasednext
: no longer living
especially : recently dead
—used of persons
Both of his parents are deceased.
deceased relatives

deceased

2 of 2

noun

plural deceased
: a dead person
the will of the deceased
did not release the deceased's name until his family had been notified

Synonyms

Adjective

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for deceased

dead, defunct, deceased, departed, late mean devoid of life.

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

defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently.

deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

Examples of deceased in a Sentence

Adjective the recently deceased tenant was found by a concerned neighbor
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The infant was determined to be already deceased when she was placed in the box Comments The body of a newborn baby girl was found in a safe haven drop-off box at a hospital in Idaho. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 While talking to pets could be enjoyable, speaking with deceased loved ones and historical figures is somehow more compelling. —Amanda Peukert, SPIN, 1 Nov. 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 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see decease

Noun

see decease

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deceased was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing deceased

Dictionary Entries Near deceased

decease

deceased

decedent

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Deceased.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceased. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

deceased

1 of 2 noun
de·​ceased di-ˈsēst How to pronounce deceased (audio)
plural deceased
: a dead person
the will of the deceased

deceased

2 of 2 adjective
: no longer living
his deceased grandparents

Medical Definition

deceased

1 of 2 adjective
de·​ceased -ˈsēst How to pronounce deceased (audio)
: no longer living
especially : recently dead
—used of persons

deceased

2 of 2 noun
plural deceased
: a dead person
the will of the deceased

More from Merriam-Webster on deceased

Nglish: Translation of deceased for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of deceased for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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