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Synonyms

deceased

American  
[dih-seest] / dɪˈsist /

adjective

  1. no longer living; dead.

noun

  1. the deceased,

    1. the particular dead person or persons referred to.

    2. dead persons collectively.

      to speak well of the deceased.
deceased British  
/ dɪˈsiːst /

adjective

    1. a more formal word for dead

    2. ( as noun )

      the deceased
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See dead.

Other Word Forms

  • undeceased adjective

Etymology

Origin of deceased

First recorded in 1480–90; decease + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He says he knew of only three deceased people on the premises.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

The filings in Los Angeles County Superior Court show Cal/OSHA began its investigation into the working conditions and training provided to the deceased detectives three days after the explosion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

More challenging was the emotional toll of removing the deceased previous owner’s things.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

"Their bravery, their sacrifice and their names will not be forgotten," Springsteen said about the two deceased Americans.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Thousands of them, each one representing a deceased veteran whose family is now due his pension.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.