Synonyms for bereave

Grammar : Verb

Spell : bih-reev

Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈriv

Définition of bereave

Origin : Old English bereafian "to deprive of, take away, seize, rob," from be + reafian "rob, plunder," from Proto-Germanic *raubojanan, from PIE *reup- "to snatch" (see rapid). A common Germanic formation (cf. Old Frisian birava "despoil," Old Saxon biroban, Dutch berooven, Old High German biroubon, German berauben, Gothic biraubon). Since mid-17c., mostly in reference to life, hope, loved ones, and other immaterial possessions. Past tense forms bereaved and bereft have co-existed since 14c., now slightly differentiated in meaning, the former applied to loss of loved ones, the latter to circumstances.

verb deprive

Example sentences :

What we love that we have, but by desire we bereave ourselves of the love.
Extract from : « Essays, First Series » by Ralph Waldo Emerson

For as for that which doth not, it is its own fault and loss, if it bereave itself of her light.
Extract from : « Meditations » by Marcus Aurelius

Receive, and believe, and bereave should be cut out at once.
Extract from : « How Doth the Simple Spelling Bee » by Owen Wister

I think of the fathers and mothers whom further fighting must bereave.
Extract from : « Foch the Man » by Clara E. Laughlin

It seemed as if God intended to bereave us of her, for he brought her even to death's door.
Extract from : « The Wonders of Prayer » by Various

The loss of all others will not bereave you of happiness if this be possessed.
Extract from : « Jane Talbot » by Charles Brockden Brown

And yet imperious necessity may bereave us even of that joy.
Extract from : « Jane Talbot » by Charles Brockden Brown

Possibly (but I hardly think so) the critique was afterwards shortened, so as to bereave it of this merit.
Extract from : « The Germ » by Various

I hold it not a brotherly part to desire to bereave me of my two children at once.
Extract from : « History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia » by Charles Campbell

They whom it must bereave seemed for the time immeasurably removed from the fact.
Extract from : « The Daughter of the Storage » by William Dean Howells

Antonyms for bereave

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019