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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
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025 He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead four days later on Nov. 6 after extensive medical treatment. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Entering last season, the Tigers had averaged about a ninth-place finish in punt return yards since joining the SEC in 2012, including 2023, when Mizzou finished dead last. Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2025 With the Chicago Blackhawks dead last in the standings, general manager Kyle Davidson will likely spend more time over the next months evaluating draft prospects and taking calls leading up to the March 7 deadline. Scott Powers, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
For years, the Health and Science Center acquired, studied and leased out the bodies of the unclaimed dead but abruptly halted the practice in September in response to an NBC News investigation. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024 The contracts the counties signed to turn over their unclaimed dead to the Health Science Center drew little scrutiny prior to NBC News’ reporting. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead
Adjective
  • But the supposedly deceased pachyderm turned out to be a yard sculpture toppled by the wind, Palm Springs police said in a Thursday, April 3, news release.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The researcher team tested their model on rodents and organ donors from deceased individuals.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The slowest builder finished before the one who overslept.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The building Celine now occupies what used to be a slow pop-up for Dior and Loro Piana.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Robbins was mostly Black, a place built by Black people who were tired of racial conflict in Chicago.
    D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Was Michelle ever tired of using the vibrator all the time in the show?
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the most viral clips from the show often trend for making either the suitor — or the singles — absolute fools online.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Mayor’s ball is an absolute feast for the senses; the black-and-white costumes, the massive number of performers, the layout and possibility of the space.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This includes drugs like lidocaine, which is used to numb pain.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Regarding driving dynamics, the LT is tuned for non-enthusiasts—the steering is numb and lifeless, and the cornering grip is average.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Many employees may also stay put as a result, though some will still seek new opportunities—especially those in relatively stable fields like healthcare. VIDEO QUIZ Ancient DNA from a species that has been extinct for at least 10,000 years lives on once again in the form of three baby animals.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The company revealed the recent successful birth of three snowy white dire wolf puppies – an animal that was extinct.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of coddling grass with irrigation and fertilizer to prevent it from going dormant, embrace this natural response.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This allows the rooted cutting a full growing season to develop before becoming dormant in the winter.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what led to the deadly incident.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has attempted to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the enclave and followed a deadly October 2023 attack by Islamist group Hamas.
    Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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