DEAD Synonyms: 518 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dead' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dead are deceased , defunct , departed , and late . While all these words 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

Q: How does the word 'deceased' relate to other synonyms for 'dead'?

Deceased , departed , and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use. // the estate of the deceased

Q: When is it sensible to use 'defunct' instead of 'dead'?

The words defunct and dead are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. // a defunct television series

Q: Where would 'departed' be a reasonable alternative to 'dead'?

The synonyms departed and dead are sometimes interchangeable, but departed is used usually as a euphemism. // our departed sister

Q: When might 'late' be a better fit than 'dead'?

Although the words late and dead have much in common, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. // the company's late president

dead 1 of 3

adjective

ˈded

Definition of dead next

as in deceased

no longer living I inherited this heirloom from my dead great-grandfather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slow

lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation the store is often dead after 4:00 p.m.

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as in tired

depleted in strength, energy, or freshness a long day of traveling left them just dead

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as in absolute

having no exceptions or restrictions there was a dead silence following that incredibly moving performance

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as in numb

lacking in sensation or feeling my foot was dead after I absentmindedly sat on it for an hour

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as in extinct

no longer existing the dead Babylonian culture

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as in dormant

not being in a state of use, activity, or employment local coal mines that have been dead for years

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as in deadly

of, relating to, or suggestive of death fell into a dead faint upon hearing the news

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as in doomed

facing certain defeat, disaster, or death if we don't finish this project on time, we're dead

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as in bland

lacking in taste or flavor from the first sip I could tell that the wine hadn't aged well and was pretty much dead

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as in barren

producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation the dead wastes of the far country to the west

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dead

2 of 3

adverb

as in straight

in a direct line or course the finish line is dead ahead

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as in completely

to a full extent or degree I'm dead certain that's the one I want

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dead

3 of 3

noun

as in death

the state of being dead it's impossible to raise someone from the dead

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dead contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dead are deceased, defunct, departed, and late. While all these words 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

How does the word deceased relate to other synonyms for dead?

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 is it sensible to use defunct instead of dead?

The words defunct and dead are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

Where would departed be a reasonable alternative to dead?

The synonyms departed and dead are sometimes interchangeable, but departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When might late be a better fit than dead?

Although the words late and dead have much in common, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

Examples 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 dead

Adjective

The Guardian and The Independent also reported on the couple being found dead. —

Marina Watts, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 At least 218 have been confirmed dead after a deluge caused by heavy rains late on Oct. 29 and the next morning swamped entire communities, mostly in Spain’s Valencia region. —

Hernán Muñoz and Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Rival pro- and anti-Syrian rallies regularly occur in Beirut and in the northern city of Tripoli, where Sunni-Alawi clashes in June left several dead and required the Lebanese army to quell the violence. —

Mona Yacoubian, Foreign Affairs, 1 Dec. 2011 Fisher, who’s dead drifting a stonefly nymph from the bow, doesn’t seem too worried. —

Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2024

Noun

All of the injured people were under the age of 20 and police found a 17-year-old dead at the scene. —

David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 22 July 2024 After months of struggling with traditional burial practices, rural residents began bringing their dead to authorities. —

Laurie Garrett, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2015 See all Example Sentences for dead

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead

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