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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


bereft

adjective

Definition: 1. deprived of something cared for or about; 2. without something necessary or desirable; 3. feeling loss

Synonyms: bereaved, deprived, destitute, lacking, wanting

Antonyms: satisfied

Tips: The difference between the adjectives bereft and its synonym bereaved is that the latter usually refers exclusively to someone who has been deprived of a loved one through death. People can, on the other hand, be bereft of many things, including values, abstractions, and characteristics, as well as people. Bereft is usually used in the form "bereft of something." The verb to bereave means "to lose or be deprived of something." Its past tense form is also bereft. So, bereft is both an adjective and a past-tense verb.

Usage Examples:

Her children and husband gone, the old woman was left sad and bereft. (bereaved, wanting, destitute)

Susie was bereft of her job during the recession, but she soon recovered by getting an even better one. (deprived) verb

Soon after graduating college, Jim was bereft and lonely, because so many of his friends moved to other cities. (deprived, lacking)

My friend was bereaved of her husband when he died in a motorcycle accident. (bereft, deprived) verb


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