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 October 2025, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia on charges including war crimes and treason.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

Green that a grieving mother could bring a Bivens lawsuit against federal prison officials whose deliberate indifference to her son’s asthma attack caused his death.

From Slate ● Nov. 10, 2026

Laura Porter, executive director of the US Campaign to End the Death Penalty, said the polling shows the country is "at a pivotal turning point in public opinion on the death penalty."

From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2026

"We will be closely studying the coroner's report into the tragic death of Taylor Lee, which is still felt across the school community three years on."

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

He was still faithful in coming through Aunt Fanny’s sugarbush grove every morning, though she’d threatened us all with sudden death if we trespassed.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Victims blame the Balkan nation's high number of traffic deaths on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and an inefficient justice system.

From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2026

On Sunday, the officers - both hailed as "true heroes" by the prime minister for preventing further deaths - emerged from comas.

From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2026

The observatory helped astronomers investigate active galaxies powered by supermassive black holes, stars that produce powerful X-ray flares, and supernovae, the enormous explosions that mark the deaths of certain stars.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026

This decent sequel works very hard to make us feel sad about its mass deaths; the only blood Yamazaki is willing to show is when the injured pack the hospitals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

For the thirty-eight riot deaths, twenty-one people were indicted, seventeen black, four white.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

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