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
Her closest friend and mentor, Walter (Bill Murray), has taken his own life, and the suddenness of his death has left her bereft.
—
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
But the bereft Galatea, both beautiful and resourceful, changed Acis into an immortal spirit of a river so that their love would never die.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Ultimately, the result is a film left bereft, like Israel and Palestine themselves, with no easy conclusions or closure.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
When Sonny passed away suddenly, Yarbrough was bereft.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
But the bereft Galatea, both beautiful and resourceful, changed Acis into an immortal spirit of a river so that their love would never die.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Ultimately, the result is a film left bereft, like Israel and Palestine themselves, with no easy conclusions or closure.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
When Sonny passed away suddenly, Yarbrough was bereft.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bereft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereft
Adjective
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The jury, bereaved parents, journalists, and even Vice President Kamala Harris were granted permission to enter the building, but Ms. Schamis was not.—
Emily Baumgaertner Nunn,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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But public perception of Bradley as a bereaved and anxious mother took a turn, especially after Kelly interviewed her on her Fox show.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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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
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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Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bereft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereft. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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