bereave
gb/bɚˈiv/ us/bɚˈiv/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
cause loss through death
to make someone lose a loved person because of death
Usage pattern:
bereave [someone] (of [someone])
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).
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.)
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
Themes
death
|family
|emotions
|life_events
Examples
- The crash bereaved the family of two children.
- War has bereaved many people of those they love.
- The disease bereaved him of his partner at a young age.
Learner examples
- The accident bereaved her of her father.
- Many families were bereaved by the storm.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
deprive someone of something
to take something important away from someone
Usage pattern:
bereave [someone] of [something]
Common mistake:
This meaning normally uses of (bereave someone of something), not *bereave someone something.
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.)
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
Themes
emotions
|society
|law
|ethics
Examples
- The scandal bereaved him of his reputation.
- Years of stress had bereaved her of confidence.
- The new rules could bereave citizens of basic rights.
Learner examples
- The illness bereaved him of hope.
- The decision bereaved them of their freedom.
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.
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.