Bereave: meaning, definitions and examples

Used mostly in the context of losing a loved one due to death, involving deep emotional pain and sorrow.

• She was bereaved of her husband after a long illness.
• The war has bereaved many families of their young sons.

Usually refers to the act of denying someone of something essential or desired. It does not necessarily involve a sense of ownership.

• The children were deprived of their basic right to education.
• Lack of sleep can deprive you of the energy you need for the day.

Involves theft or stealing, often accompanied by force or threat. It carries a negative connotation.

• The thieves planned to rob the bank at midnight.
• She felt like life had robbed her of her dreams.

Often used in legal or formal situations where someone is stripped of property, land, or belongings usually by others such as the government or through legal means.

• The family was dispossessed of their home due to unpaid taxes.
• The indigenous people were dispossessed of their lands by the colonizers.