DECEASED Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of deceased are dead , defunct , departed , and late . While all these words mean "devoid of life," 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: Where would 'dead' be a reasonable alternative to 'deceased'?

While in some cases nearly identical to deceased , 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: When is 'defunct' a more appropriate choice than 'deceased'?

The meanings of defunct and deceased largely overlap; however, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. // a defunct television series

Q: When could 'departed' be used to replace 'deceased'?

The words departed and deceased can be used in similar contexts, but departed is used usually as a euphemism. // our departed sister

Q: When is it sensible to use 'late' instead of 'deceased'?

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

deceased 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈsēst

Definition of deceased next

as in dead

no longer living the recently deceased tenant was found by a concerned neighbor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deceased

2 of 3

noun

as in decedent

Synonyms & Similar Words

deceased

3 of 3

verb

past tense of decease

as in died

to stop living no one knows what happened to the family fortune after the spinster deceased

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How does the adjective deceased contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deceased are dead, defunct, departed, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

Where would dead be a reasonable alternative to deceased?

While in some cases nearly identical to deceased, 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

When is defunct a more appropriate choice than deceased?

The meanings of defunct and deceased largely overlap; however, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

When could departed be used to replace deceased?

The words departed and deceased can be used in similar contexts, but departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When is it sensible to use late instead of deceased?

Although the words late and deceased 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 deceased

Adjective

The Broward Sheriff’s Office later found that person deceased. —

Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 24 Dec. 2024 Their scenes largely took place in boardrooms in New York City, where Katie was meeting rich colleagues of her deceased husband in order to carry out a nefarious plan. —

Fox News, 23 Dec. 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceased

Adjective

Caleb was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, but not before making a phone call.

Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
He was later pronounced dead at University of Arkansas of Medical Sciences at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025

Definition of dead

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“Deceased.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceased. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: 16 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of deceased

adjective

noun

verb

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