departed

adjective

de·​part·​ed di-ˈpär-təd 

dē-

1

: bygone

departed days

2

: having died especially recently

mourning our departed friend

Synonyms

• bygone
• bypast
• dead
• defunct
• done
• expired
• extinct
• gone
• nonextant
• vanished

Choose the Right Synonym for departed

dead, defunct, deceased, departed, late 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

defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently.

deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

Examples of departed in a Sentence

a few crumbling ruins are all that remain of that departed civilization

Recent Examples on the Web

These spirits not only provide a thoughtful toast to the departed but also serve as a reminder of Mexico’s deep traditions and reverence for the past. —Rachel King, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Joining the core trio of Corgan, Iha and Chamberlin were bassist Jack Bates and guitarist Kiki Wong, who famously won the post from the departed Jeff Schroeder after a public casting call of more than 10,000. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024

Farewell to Vivek Ramaswamy (good riddance, as the Trump toady was a rude, insulting embarrassment) and to Asa Hutchinson (who, along with the departed Chris Christie, were the only ones who correctly and honorably said that criminal convictions should disqualify Trump). —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024

Harbaugh reiterated that the draft isn’t the only means by which the Ravens plan to fill the gaps left by departed starters Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing departed

• the departed

Kids Definition

departed

adjective

de·​part·​ed

1

: bygone

departed days

2

: no longer living