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bereave

verb
be·​reave | \ bi-ˈrēv How to pronounce bereave (audio) , bē-\
bereaved or bereft\ bi-​ˈreft How to pronounce bereft (audio) , bē-​ \; bereaving

Definition of bereave

transitive verb

1 : to deprive of something —usually used with of Madam, you have bereft me of all words …— William Shakespeare
2 : to take away (a valued or necessary possession) especially by force
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Synonyms for bereave

Synonyms

abate, deprive, divest, strip

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Examples of bereave in a Sentence

news of a death in the family bereaved them of the unmitigated joy that normally prevails at a wedding

First Known Use of bereave

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for bereave

Middle English bereven, from Old English berēafian, from be- + rēafian to rob — more at reave

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