BEREFT Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

bereft

adjective

bi-ˈreft

Definition of bereft

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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as in devoid

utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected a cheap motel completely bereft of all amenities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bereft My preference is Hunter Goodman for three pitchers for the pitching-bereft Rockies. — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, testified that the screenplay left him bereft. — Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026 Contributors have since raised over $120,000 of its $140,000 goal for the bereft family. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 Sure, Sorsby was an integral part of their plans this upcoming season, but the Red Raiders won't exactly be bereft of talent in 2026. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bereft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft

Adjective

Fifteen years after Dylan’s death, Ramsay continues to answer calls from bereaved parents.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
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

Definition of bereaved

Adjective

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
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.

— Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021

Definition of weeping

Adjective

The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

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
Getting into spoilers, Naim and his widowed mother, Arlene (Mia Wasikowska), only recently moved to the small religious factory town that introduced Naim and Ryan.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026

Definition of widowed

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bereaving

bereft

beret

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“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bereft

adjective

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