Definitions

death

[deth] / dɛθ /

NOUN

end of life

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decease demise dying expiration loss of life passing

STRONG

cessation curtains end euthanasia extermination extinction finis finish necrosis oblivion quietus release repose termination

WEAK

afterlife dissolution eternal rest eternal sleep final rest final sleep grave grim reaper heaven mort mortality paradise passing over silence tomb

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beginning birth nativity

STRONG

creation existence genesis life origination start

WEAK

being

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for death?

In its most common and literal senses, death refers to the end of life—the state of no longer being alive; to the process of dying (a prolonged death); or to the instance of a person dying (His death was tragic). A somewhat formal (and blunt) synonym is demise. The word expiration is sometimes used, but usually sounds a bit literary or old-fashioned. The word end is sometimes used similarly, as in He finally met his end. The word decease can be used as a noun meaning the same thing as death, but its adjective form deceased (meaning dead) is much more common. Words for death used in formal, official contexts include fatality and casualty. In the context of crime, different types of death (and their causes) are given specific classifications, such as homicide and murder. In terms like death and destruction, death refers to wide-scale loss of life. In a broader scientific context, the death of an entire species is called extinction. In contrast with those who view death as the start of the afterlife (sometimes called the other side), some people view death as nonexistence or annihilation. Or, more dramatically, oblivion. Death is sometimes used as the name for the personification of death, also called the Grim Reaper (or just the Reaper), Pale Death, or the Angel of Death. The state of being subject to death is called mortality. Death is also sometimes used figuratively to mean the end of something, as in The failure of the bill was seen as the death of tax reform. And speaking of taxes, they are said to be the only thing as certain as death. For euphemisms and slang terms for death, see the next section.

What are some euphemisms for death?

Like other sensitive topics, there are many euphemisms for death (indirect, gentler, and less blunt ways of referring to it). Perhaps the most common euphemistic way of talking about a person’s death is to refer to it as their passing. Relatedly, pass, pass away, and pass on are all euphemisms for die. Taken literally, these terms can suggest that a person has passed over to the afterlife. In the context of mourning someone’s death, it’s often referred to as a loss. Many euphemisms for death liken it to sleep, including final repose, final rest, eternal rest, and eternal sleep. There are also many, many slang terms used in the context of death. Many are metaphorical and whimsical, such as the end of the line or the great gig in the sky. In a similarly irreverent tone, dying is sometimes called kicking the bucket (which is the basis of the term bucket list), biting the dust, buying the farm, or cashing in one’s chips, among other things. Religiously oriented expressions include go to glory, go to one’s reward, and meet one’s maker, which suggests an afterlife like those envisioned in many religions, in which a person’s death is followed by judgment by a deity. A more earthly way of referring to death is with the term the grave, as in It drove him to the grave, or with phrases that use the word grave, as in an early grave.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

death deaths

In early July, Lukwago likened his continued detention to "a death sentence" as he had chronic health problems affecting notably his lungs and spine.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

The show even weathered a major uproar over the botched host transition that followed the death of beloved emcee Alex Trebek in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

They found that dogs whose biological age was more than a year ahead of their actual age had a higher risk of death over the study period.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

Terminal lucidity refers to an unexpected return of mental clarity shortly before death, sometimes in people who had severe dementia or other conditions that had left them unable to communicate normally.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026

Come back, come back, every second is life or death.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

The last two elephants, Billy and Tina, were transferred last year to the Tulsa Zoo after decades of campaigns by animal rights advocates over living conditions and a history of deaths and health challenges.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

On the same day police revealed they are looking into four unexplained deaths at the homeless shelter that had housed him.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

There have been 3,360 confirmed cases, including 1,487 deaths since May, with the outbreak heavily centred on the northeastern Ituri province.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

The source hasn't been identified yet and there have been no reported deaths.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

But their lives and deaths have had a greater impact on my thinking as a scientist, scholar, historian, physician, son, and father than I could possibly have envisioned.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

death

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Example Sentences

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