bereft

[bih-reft]

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of bereave.

adjective

1. deprived.

   They are bereft of their senses. He is bereft of all happiness.

bereft

/ bɪˈrɛft /

adjective

1. (usually foll by of) deprived; parted (from)

   bereft of hope

Word History and Origins

Origin of bereft¹

First recorded in 1525–35; be- + reft

Example Sentences

Whoever is appointed next at Rangers inherits a team bereft of confidence with their defence in particular struggling to contain opponents for most of the season so far and scoring also a problem.

From BBC

Indy is bereft to be left alone for long stretches of time in a strange house.

From Los Angeles Times

"I had occasional, vivid dreams in which we were still on good terms. I would wake up from these feeling utterly bereft," she says.

From BBC

“What have you done with his body?” the bereft widow demands of a man from the government, asking after her husband was hauled away because of a bureaucratic error and died in custody.

From Los Angeles Times

During sentencing, Lord Bracadale told him: "I hope that the day will come in your life when you feel able to disclose that information and that may bring some comfort to her bereft family."

From BBC