Synonyms of departed

departed 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpär-təd 

1

as in extinct

no longer existing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extinct
• defunct
• vanished
• gone
• expired
• done
• bygone
• dead
• faded
• obsolete
• fallen
• nonextant
• bypast
• dying
• nonexistent
• collapsed
• terminated
• moribund
• antiquated
• lost
• finished
• dated
• lapsed
• missing
• overthrown
• passé

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alive
• existing
• extant
• living
• active
• existent
• dynamic
• vibrant
• thriving

2

as in fallen

no longer living

our dear departed friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fallen
• deceased
• dead
• gone
• late
• demised
• extinct
• asleep
• defunct
• low
• lifeless
• dying
• cold
• breathless
• bitten the dust
• fading
• terminated
• moribund
• finished
• lapsed
• stillborn
• inanimate
• insensate
• nonliving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alive
• live
• quick
• going
• breathing
• living
• vital
• active
• dynamic
• animate
• operative
• lively
• functioning
• vibrant
• animated
• thriving
• vivacious
• running

departed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of depart

1

as in exited

to leave a place often for another

I'll sing one more song before I depart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exited
• moved
• went
• got
• parted
• fled
• started
• escaped
• evacuated
• flew
• bailed
• quit
• retired
• withdrew
• stepped (along)
• got off
• went off
• scarpered
• retreated
• ran along
• dug out
• booked
• pulled out
• emigrated
• shoved (off)
• pushed off
• cleared off
• took off
• cleared out
• walked out
• peeled off
• cut out
• sallied (forth)
• packed (up or off)
• buzzed (off)
• pushed on
• vamoosed
• beat it
• skipped
• bailed out
• buggered off
• took a hike
• deserted
• set out
• bugged out
• abandoned
• took a powder
• hit the road
• bugged off
• removed
• absconded
• decamped
• pulled stakes
• vacated
• forsook
• struck out
• got out
• went out
• ran away
• lit
• piked (out or off)
• stepped out
• adjourned
• mizzled
• scatted
• scrammed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• came
• arrived
• remained
• stayed
• turned up
• settled
• showed up
• approached
• closed
• lodged
• reached
• tarried
• dwelled
• abided
• neared
• landed
• hit

2

as in died

to stop living

a special tribute for those members of the motion picture academy who have departed over the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• died
• perished
• fell
• disappeared
• succumbed
• deceased
• ended
• expired
• parted
• exited
• went
• demised
• passed (on)
• passed away
• faded
• bought it
• checked out
• stepped out
• dropped
• croaked
• kicked off
• popped off
• kicked in
• gave up the ghost
• snuffed it
• pegged out
• flatlined
• bit the dust
• kicked the bucket
• predeceased
• conked (out)
• failed
• consumed
• dried up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lived
• breathed
• came to
• revived
• lingered
• existed
• was
• flourished
• prospered
• subsisted
• thrived

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective departed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of departed are dead, deceased, defunct, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When is dead a more appropriate choice than departed?

While in some cases nearly identical to departed, 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 departed?

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 might defunct be a better fit than departed?

The words defunct and departed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

In what contexts can late take the place of departed?

In some situations, the words late and departed are roughly equivalent. However, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

How does the adjective departed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of departed are dead, deceased, defunct, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When is dead a more appropriate choice than departed?

While in some cases nearly identical to departed, 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 departed?

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 might defunct be a better fit than departed?

The words defunct and departed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

In what contexts can late take the place of departed?

In some situations, the words late and departed are roughly equivalent. However, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of departed

Adjective

Judaism approaches these moments with deep sensitivity, offering guidance not to judge or criticize, but to bring dignity, comfort, and peace—to the soul of the departed and to those left behind. —Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026

Altars are traditionally decorated with pictures of departed relatives, their favorite foods, drinks and remnants of their lives, such as favorite items or symbols of their profession. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

Phelps departed the top of the company after an acrimonious lawsuit and subsequent trial between the sanctioning body of NASCAR and two of its Cup Series teams — a 14-month process that revealed some pretty unflattering messages sent within NASCAR leadership. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026

Evans, a 10-time 1,000-yard receiver and the franchise’s receiving, touchdowns and scoring leader, departed this winter after 11 years. —Fred Goodall, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026