bereave
gb/bɚˈiv/ us/bɚˈiv/
C1
English
megfoszt, gyászba borít
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
megfoszt
C1
Usage pattern:
bereave [someone] (of [someone])
The crash bereaved the family of two children.
A baleset két gyermekétől fosztotta meg a családot.
War has bereaved many people of those they love.
A háború sok embert fosztott meg a szeretteitől.
The disease bereaved him of his partner at a young age.
Learner examples
The accident bereaved her of her father.
A baleset megfosztotta az apjától.
Many families were bereaved by the storm.
A vihar sok családot gyászba borított.
Common mistake:
In modern English, this verb is often used in the passive (be bereaved); learners may also forget that an object is needed (bereave someone).
Meaning
cause loss through death
Collocations
bereave a family
|bereave someone of their mother
|bereave someone of their father
|bereave parents
|bereave children
|tragically bereave
|suddenly bereave
|death bereaved the community
|an accident bereaved them
|bereaved by illness
Synonyms
deprive (More general; not specifically about death.)
|
widow (Specific to causing someone’s spouse to die; less common as a verb.)
|
orphan (Specific to causing children to lose parents; less common as a verb.)
Antonyms
spare (To avoid taking away or causing such a loss.)
|
save (To prevent death and therefore prevent the loss.)
Themes
death
|family
|emotions
|life_events
Definition
to make someone lose a loved person because of death
To cause someone to lose a close family member or loved one because that person dies.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
megfoszt
C1
Usage pattern:
bereave [someone] of [something]
The scandal bereaved him of his reputation.
A botrány megfosztotta a jó hírnevétől.
Years of stress had bereaved her of confidence.
Az évekig tartó stressz megfosztotta az önbizalmától.
The new rules could bereave citizens of basic rights.
Learner examples
The illness bereaved him of hope.
A betegség megfosztotta a reménytől.
The decision bereaved them of their freedom.
A döntés megfosztotta őket a szabadságuktól.
Common mistake:
This meaning normally uses of (bereave someone of something), not *bereave someone something.
Meaning
deprive someone of something
Collocations
bereave someone of hope
|bereave someone of dignity
|bereave someone of their rights
|bereave someone of freedom
|bereave someone of independence
|bereave someone of support
|bereave someone of comfort
|bereave someone of confidence
|bereave someone of opportunities
|bereave someone of a future
Synonyms
deprive (The closest neutral synonym; less literary.)
|
rob (More forceful and often implies wrongdoing.)
|
strip (Often suggests taking away rights, titles, or protections.)
Antonyms
grant (To formally give something (such as rights or permission).)
|
provide (To supply something that someone needs.)
|
restore (To give back something that was lost.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|law
|ethics
Definition
to take something important away from someone
To take away something important from someone, such as hope, dignity, rights, or support.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bereave
IPA
GB/bɚˈiv/
US/bɚˈiv/
Syllables & stress
be - reave (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (be)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: bereave
- 3rd Person Singular: bereaves
- Present Participle: bereaving
- Past: bereaved, bereft
- Past Participle: bereft
Word family
Forms
bereaves
verb
bereaving
verb
bereaved
verb
bereft
verb
Core family
bereavement
noun C1
Expressions
bereaved family
1/bɚˈivd fˈæmɪli/
fixed phrase
formal
family who lost someone
a family whose relative has died
Examples
- The company issued an apology to the bereaved family.
- Neighbors brought food to the bereaved family in the days after the loss.
- A fund was set up to support the bereaved families.
Learner examples
- We visited the bereaved family.
- They sent flowers to the bereaved family.
the bereaved
1/ðə bɚˈivd/
fixed phrase
formal
people mourning after a death
people who are sad because someone close died
Examples
- Counselors were available to help the bereaved.
- The charity offers practical advice for the bereaved.
- Friends gathered to support the bereaved after the funeral.
Learner examples
- We want to help the bereaved.
- The bereaved need support.