BEREAVEMENT Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

bereavement

noun

Definition of bereavement

as in absence

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 bereavement The role of counseling in older adulthood is broader than addressing illness, loss and bereavement. — Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 A week earlier, with Eldridge on bereavement leave, the family gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to bury his grandfather, Edward Kenney, a Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient who died in March. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Worth noting Bryce Eldridge returned from the bereavement list, and infielder Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 The Sox also placed outfielder Andrew Benintendi on the bereavement/family medical emergency list and recalled infielder/outfielder Rikuu Nishida from Charlotte. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bereavement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bereavement

Noun

His absence opened the door for Chris Bell to step up, delivering a 47-yard reception off a slant in last week’s loss to the Chiefs.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
The mysterious absence The Chiefs opened the game with a surprise.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of absence

Noun

Ah yes—in addition to memorizing lines and choreography, Hiddleston and Atwell were both reckoning with sleep deprivation and toddler tantrums.

— Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Nor did the study show that exercise restores attention, reaction time, judgment or the many other functions impaired by sleep deprivation.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of deprivation

Noun

The catastrophe was a reminder of not only the destructiveness of Israeli bombing, but also the depth of the continuing privation in Gaza today.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Though each of the Ghetto’s three areas (the Ghetto Nuovo, the Ghetto Vecchio, and the Ghetto Nuovissimo) retained its own, distinct character until remarkably late, it was always cramped, unsanitary, and marred by privation.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of privation

Noun

Nearly all its arrangements hew to a standard radio-pop format, and in the record’s back half this lack of imagination becomes tiresome.

— Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Wednesday’s filing marks the latest escalation in the legal fight over conditions at the facility and the government’s lack of compliance with the court’s directives.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of lack

Browse Nearby Words

bereaved

bereavement

bereavements

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bereavement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bereavement. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bereavement

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes