presumed dead
idiom
: believed to be dead
After the earthquake several people were missing and presumed dead.
Examples of presumed dead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Saturday’s handover, if successful, will mean that four hostages, all presumed dead, are still left in Gaza from the group of 33 scheduled for release under the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
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Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025
Yes, but the SSA knows many are presumed dead, and close to none of them receive payments.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Assuming the releases go forward as planned, dozens of living hostages and more than 30 others presumed dead by Israel will remain in Gaza by early March.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
He’s disconcerted but not deterred when her behavior becomes less and less like that of a woman whose husband is pretty much presumed dead after his shirt and wallet are found on the rocks overlooking a patch of ocean known for its treacherous currents.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025
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Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025
Yes, but the SSA knows many are presumed dead, and close to none of them receive payments.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Assuming the releases go forward as planned, dozens of living hostages and more than 30 others presumed dead by Israel will remain in Gaza by early March.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
He’s disconcerted but not deterred when her behavior becomes less and less like that of a woman whose husband is pretty much presumed dead after his shirt and wallet are found on the rocks overlooking a patch of ocean known for its treacherous currents.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumed dead
Cite this Entry
“Presumed dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumed%20dead. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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