1
as in bereaved
suffering the death of a loved one
to one investigator, the bereft woman seemed to be taking the sudden death of her rich husband amazingly well
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected
a cheap motel completely bereft of all amenities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bereft
The Raiders have been bereft for competent quarterback play all season.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Facing every imaginable shortage, tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops, tired and bereft, have walked away from combat and front-line positions to slide into anonymity, according to soldiers, lawyers and Ukrainian officials.
—Samya Kullab and Volodymyr Yurchuk, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
When Brianna and Roger return to the future to seek medical care for their daughter, Mandy, Claire and Jamie are left bereft.
—Amy Wilkinson, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024
Roger and Buck go through the stones, leaving a bereft Brianna behind in the present to weep and look after Mandy.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bereft 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Facing every imaginable shortage, tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops, tired and bereft, have walked away from combat and front-line positions to slide into anonymity, according to soldiers, lawyers and Ukrainian officials.
—Samya Kullab and Volodymyr Yurchuk, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
When Brianna and Roger return to the future to seek medical care for their daughter, Mandy, Claire and Jamie are left bereft.
—Amy Wilkinson, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024
Roger and Buck go through the stones, leaving a bereft Brianna behind in the present to weep and look after Mandy.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bereft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft
Adjective
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Two bereaved parents and 12 other members of an Australian religious congregation were found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday for withholding diabetes medication from an 8-year-old girl, leading to her death.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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She was also introduced to bereaved families supported by the hospice throughout their children’s lives, deaths and beyond.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
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The medication has hallucinogenic effects that alter the perception of sight and sound and cause users to feel devoid from pain and out of control of their surroundings.—
Jay Stahl,
USA TODAY,
28 Oct. 2023
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Laviolette puts lines in a blender Clearly unhappy with his team’s effort against Pittsburgh on Friday, Laviolette made drastic changes to his lineup.—
Peter Baugh,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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The indie drama follows Diana (Rodriguez), an unhappy teenager who begins training at a boxing gym as a release for her frustrations, only to discover she's got a talent for the sport.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bereft
Cite this Entry
“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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